Newsroom https://newsroom.wcs.org RSS feeds for Newsroom 60 https://newsroom.wcs.org/News-Releases/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/22152/Central-Park-Zoo-Photo-and-Video-Release.aspx#Comments 0 https://newsroom.wcs.org/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=13614&ModuleID=28242&ArticleID=22152 https://newsroom.wcs.org:443/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=22152&PortalID=164&TabID=13614 Central Park Zoo Photo and Video Release https://newsroom.wcs.org/News-Releases/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/22152/Central-Park-Zoo-Photo-and-Video-Release.aspx New York, March 15, 2024 — Two lambs are debuting at the Central Park Zoo, Bobbin and Sage. Born this winter, Bobbin, 7 weeks old; and Sage, 3 weeks old have joined a flock of 8 adult sheep in the Tisch Children’s Zoo. Bobbin and Sage are harlequin sheep, a new breed for Central Park Zoo since 2022. Harlequin sheep were developed in Virginia about 40 years ago through crossbreeding eight different breeds to produce a hardy, docile, miniature polled (hornless) sheep suited for small scale farms. They are known for the variety of colors in their coats and their fine wool.  They are also increasingly popular for 4H and FFA participants developing their skills. Currently, the Central Park Zoo has three breeds of sheep: harlequin; Shetland; and southdown. Thimble and Gray Seal are the parents of Bobbin; and Rosemary and Gray Seal are the parents of Sage. ### jdagostino Fri, 15 Mar 2024 08:28:00 GMT f1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:22152 https://newsroom.wcs.org/News-Releases/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/22107/SMART-Global-Congress-Set-to-Meet-in-Namibia-March-10-14.aspx#Comments 0 https://newsroom.wcs.org/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=13614&ModuleID=28242&ArticleID=22107 https://newsroom.wcs.org:443/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=22107&PortalID=164&TabID=13614 SMART Global Congress Set to Meet in Namibia, March 10-14 https://newsroom.wcs.org/News-Releases/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/22107/SMART-Global-Congress-Set-to-Meet-in-Namibia-March-10-14.aspx Windhoek, Namibia, March 8, 2024 -- The SMART Partnership is pleased to announce the inaugural SMART Global Congress in Windhoek, Namibia from 10-14 March 2024. Established in 2011, the SMART Partnership is the global leader in conservation area management solutions, offering an integrated suite of powerful tools and services to help conservation practitioners improve management effectiveness and better protect wildlife. The partnership includes: Frankfurt Zoological Society, North Carolina Zoo, Panthera, Re:wild, WCS, Wildlife Protection Solutions, World Wildlife Fund, and Zoological Society of London. The SMART Global Congress marks a significant milestone in the nearly 15-year history of SMART. For the first time ever, the partnership is convening the global SMART community to share experiences and lessons learned. More than 300 SMART practitioners from more than 55 different countries are set to participate. Notable speakers at the congress, including a distinguished keynote from Mr. Teofilus Nghitila, Executive Director of the Namibian Ministry of Forestry, Environment & Tourism, as well as several other renowned conservation practitioners from around the world, include: Dr. Emma Stokes, Vice President Field Conservation, Wildlife Conservation Society: Dr. Stokes oversees the global portfolio of regional programs for Wildlife Conservation Society in nearly 60 countries and across the world’s oceans. Dr. Madhu Rao, Chair, IUCN World Commission on Protected Areas: Dr. Rao brings over 25 years of experience in designing and supporting the implementation of conservation field programs across Asia. Dr. Tara Stoinski, President, CEO and Chief Scientific Officer, Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund: Dr. Stoinski has studied gorillas for more than two decades and is the author of over 150 scientific publications and books. Dr. Supagit Vinitpornsawan, Director of SMART Patrol Monitoring Center, Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation, Thailand: Dr. Vinitpornsawan leads the National SMART center for DNP in Thailand. Rohit Singh, Director of Protected and Conserved Area Management and Governance, World Wildlife Fund (WWF): Mr. Singh has worked on conservation, protected area management and illegal wildlife trade issues for 19 years, and has been instrumental in driving forward the agenda to professionalize the ranger force globally. Jonathan Palmer, WCS Executive Director of Conservation Technology and SMART Chief Technology Officer, who has led on the development of SMART technology since its inception. Dr. Richard Bergl, Director of Animal Care, Conservation, Education and Science, North Carolina Zoo: Dr. Bergl has worked in wildlife conservation across Africa for 25 years, and is one of the founding members and current Chair of the SMART Partnership. The congress will be hosted at the Mercure Hotel and Conference Centre located at the corner of Auas and Aviation Road, Windhoek, Namibia, 9000 WINDHOEK, Namibia. Media are invited to attend. To attend, journalists should contact Nathalia Santana (nsantana@wcs.org, +1 917 586 0129.) Since its creation in 2011, in response to the alarming decline in global wildlife populations, the SMART Partnership has aimed to provide the tools and training that are critical for effective conservation area management. Originally focused on improving wildlife protection by enabling data driven decision making in terrestrial protected areas, SMART’s power and flexibility have allowed it to continuously evolve. Currently deployed in over 1,200 sites across more than 100 countries, SMART has become an indispensable resource for the conservation of global biodiversity. Recent international developments underscore the significance and potential for impact of tools like SMART. The new Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, signed by almost 200 countries at COP15, commits nations to safeguarding at least 30 percent of the planet by 2030. SMART will play a critical role in the effective management of these sites, monitoring and reporting important data on progress towards meeting these ambitious targets. SMART’s impact now extends well beyond terrestrial sites. It is deployed by local and Indigenous communities, field researchers, and even facility managers. Its applications span diverse environments, including marine areas, deserts, the arctic and globally-focused climate change mitigation projects. With tens of thousands of conservationists around the world using SMART, the tool has become integral in crafting data-driven strategies for effective biodiversity conservation. ### jdagostino Fri, 08 Mar 2024 18:58:00 GMT f1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:22107 https://newsroom.wcs.org/News-Releases/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/22100/16th-Annual-WCS-Run-For-The-Wild-to-Protect-Iconic-Snow-Leopards-Other-Wildlife.aspx#Comments 0 https://newsroom.wcs.org/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=13614&ModuleID=28242&ArticleID=22100 https://newsroom.wcs.org:443/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=22100&PortalID=164&TabID=13614 16th Annual WCS Run For The Wild to Protect Iconic Snow Leopards & Other Wildlife https://newsroom.wcs.org/News-Releases/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/22100/16th-Annual-WCS-Run-For-The-Wild-to-Protect-Iconic-Snow-Leopards-Other-Wildlife.aspx BRONX, N.Y. — March 7, 2024 — You probably can’t outrun a snow leopard, but you may be able to help protect them at the 16th annual WCS Run For The Wild 5K run and 3K family fun run/walk on Saturday, April 27, at the Bronx Zoo. Each year, more than 5,000 runners, walkers, and wildlife supporters participate and help raise awareness of the threats facing wildlife while fundraising to support the Wildlife Conservation Society’s (WCS) conservation work at the Bronx Zoo and around the world. Snow leopards are classified as “Vulnerable” by the International Union of Conservation of Nature (IUCN). Because of their secretive nature and the remote areas in which they live, it is difficult to get accurate population numbers in the wild. It is thought there are between 2,700 and 7,500 surviving in the wild. The Bronx Zoo is a world leader in snow leopard care and husbandry and participates in a Species Survival Plan program, a cooperative breeding program designed to enhance the genetic viability of animal populations in zoos accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums. More than 80 snow leopards have been born at the Bronx Zoo, more than any other zoo in North America. The Bronx Zoo was the first zoo in the United States to exhibit the big cats in 1903. This past fall, two cubs made their debut and can be seen in the Himalayan Highlands exhibit. Currently, the Bronx Zoo has 10 snow leopards. We have long been a global leader in snow leopard conservation, thanks in part to funds raised during the annual WCS Run For The Wild. Participants 16 and older are required to meet the minimum fundraising level of $35, in addition to the registration fee. Upon completing the required minimum fundraising, all registrants receive: Free all-day access to the Bronx Zoo (Star Attractions are included in the Bronx Admission ticket) Free parking A commemorative WCS Run for the Wild t-shirt and medal Post-run entertainment, including music, costumed characters, Wildlife Theater, trivia, games, face painting, and more 125th birthday celebration activities Through fundraising, participants can also earn rewards, including a snow leopard plush, water bottle, reusable bag, beanie hat, notebook, and Bronx Zoo tickets with a VIP meal voucher. This year's run is extra special because we're celebrating 125 years of the Bronx Zoo. Join us for Animal Chronicles, a walking trail of more than a quarter mile, featuring immersive eco-sculptures that showcase key achievements in the Bronx Zoo’s history of saving animal species and connecting visitors from around the world to wildlife. The festivities will also include parades, performances, crafting, scavenger hunts, tours, Wildlife Theater, and much more. Register to participate in the 16th annual WCS Run For The Wild and help us make tracks for snow leopards. WCS Run For The Wild is sponsored by Montefiore Einstein. For Media: jdagostino Thu, 07 Mar 2024 14:06:00 GMT f1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:22100 https://newsroom.wcs.org/News-Releases/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/22066/NASA-Space-Technology-and-Google-Earth-Engine-Computing-Power-Are-Helping-to-Save-Tigers.aspx#Comments 0 https://newsroom.wcs.org/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=13614&ModuleID=28242&ArticleID=22066 https://newsroom.wcs.org:443/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=22066&PortalID=164&TabID=13614 NASA Space Technology and Google Earth Engine Computing Power Are Helping to Save Tigers https://newsroom.wcs.org/News-Releases/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/22066/NASA-Space-Technology-and-Google-Earth-Engine-Computing-Power-Are-Helping-to-Save-Tigers.aspx New York, Feb. 27, 2024, 10AM ET -- In an unusual blend of space technology, and on-the-ground data gathering, NASA satellite imagery and Google Earth Engine computing power are helping scientists develop a real-time monitoring system for tiger habitat globally. The program, referred to as “TCL 3.0” focuses on the remaining distinct continuous tracts of habitat where tigers still occur (referred to as Tiger Conservation Landscapes, or TCLs), and represents the third iteration of assessing tiger habitat across Asia. The approach represents a breakthrough in how scientists measure and monitor changes in habitat and provides a framework for monitoring other wildlife species across the globe. “This is a way to look at both the big picture and see changes on the ground as they’re happening,” said Eric W. Sanderson, first author of the study, and former Wildlife Conservation Society staff member, one of 31 coauthors of a new paper, “Range-wide Trends in Tiger Conservation Landscapes, 2001 - 2020,” which describes an innovative, near real-time approach to monitoring tiger habitat. “The ultimate goal is to monitor changes in real time to help stabilize tiger populations across the range.” Sanderson is now the Vice President for Urban Conservation at the New York Botanical Garden. Said NASA Laura Rogers, Associate Program Manager, NASA Ecological Conservation Program: “The system wide view provided by TCL 3.0 is a game-changing innovation which will enable tigers as a species to thrive.  Using Earth observations such as VIIRS, MODIS and Landsat products, land managers and decision makers can now holistically see the impact of human activity on these critical habitats and can opt to alter their management approaches.” Said Tanya Birch, Senior Program Manager, Google: “Everybody should read, if nothing else, the conclusion of this paper. As the paper authors write, “Monitoring progress at a pace relevant to decision-making is key.” In technology, there’s a well-worn cliche around tech being a catalyst to “make the world a better place.” Google Earth Engine powering TCL3.0 is a superb example of the good that a “little technological magic” can bring. “The TCL 3.0 program represents a breakthrough in how we monitor the status of a species, a system that can be applied not only to tigers, but to any species of concern,” said Dale Miquelle, a co-author of study and WCS Tiger Program Associate Director. “But for this system to reach its full potential, it will require collaboration from all vested parties, from NGOs to scientific institutes to governments. The next step to make TCL 3.0 fully functional is to secure full buy-in from all partners interested in the conservation of tigers.” The report, with lead authors Sanderson, Miquelle, and Kim Fisher, all from the Wildlife Conservation Society, was published on December 8 2023 in Frontiers in Conservation Science. The product is the result of a collaborative effort of leading tiger scientists across Asia, some of the leading remote sensing experts, landscape ecologists, and biological statisticians in the world, and was supported by multiple NGOs of the Tiger Conservation Coalition as well as government agencies in countries where tigers are found. Habitat loss is a primary cause of the endangerment of Panthera tigris, the planet’s largest cat and cultural icon in Asia. Because tigers depend upon large expanses of intact forest ecosystems to survive, their status is a good proxy for the integrity of many terrestrial ecosystems in Asia: forests with stable populations of tigers are more likely to retain higher levels of biodiversity, sequester more carbon, and mitigate the impacts of climate change, at the same time providing ecosystem services to millions of humans in surrounding areas. Yet, despite reams of studies over many centuries, until now there has been no system in place to look at integrated habitat modeling across the tiger’s range to measure and monitor changes in the status of tigers and their habitat on national, biome, and landscape scales, and to continually update the data as circumstances change.  To address this most critical threat to biodiversity, it is crucial for governments and non-governmental actors to know, in near real-time, where and when habitat loss is occurring, the report’s authors note. Countries can download nationally specific summaries via https://act-green.org.  This new system looks specifically at tigers, highly evolved, obligate carnivores whose ancestors first appeared in Eurasia some 62 million years ago.  In historical times tigers ranged from the Caspian Sea to the Russian Far East, and south to the Indonesian islands of Sumatra, Java, and Bali. Between 2001 and 2020, the total area of Tiger Conservation Landscapes (TCLs) declined from 1.025 million to about 912,000 square kilometers – a range-wide loss of 11 percent, with the greatest losses in Southeast Asia and southern China. Globally, there are 63 TCLs spread across 10 of the 30 modern countries in areas where tigers originally occurred, with India retaining approximately 3000 of the world's remaining 4500 tigers in 35 Tiger Conservation Landscapes . Effective potential tiger habitat appears to have plateaued at around 16 percent of its original extent (1.817 million square kilometers), based on 2020 data. Researchers have noted expansions of tiger habit in India, Nepal, Bhutan, northern China, and southeastern Russia, illustrating significant potential for expanding tiger range into what are referred to as Restoration Landscapes (RLs). If these habitats had sufficient prey and tigers were sustainably introduced, the area occupied by tigers could increase by 50 percent, the researchers found.  The scientists’ analytical system, incorporating NASA Earth observations, in situ biological data, and a conservation-oriented modeling framework, provides the information needed by countries that maintain tiger populations to identify priority landscapes that need protection, and to monitor changes in the extent and quality of habitat, thus providing an “early warning system” when encroachments or habitat degradation occurs. In addition to monitoring changes in occupation by tigers, the system also develops yearly estimates of the human “footprint,” an index of human impact on a landscape, providing yet another indicator of changes to the landscape. The system includes dynamic, spatially explicit maps and results, updated as often as the underlying data change, providing a near-real time assessment of what is happening to the forested ecosystems of Asia, enabling country governments an opportunity to react in a timely manner. TCL 3.0 will help overcome delays in data sharing that are inherent in the conventional process of acquiring, processing, and publishing spatial data, and could be extended readily to other species. In recent decades, government agencies including the U.S. National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) and the European Space Agency (ESA) have made timely, high-resolution, landscape-level information from satellite sensors more accessible and affordable than ever before, fulfilling a desire for information about environmental issues and stimulating significant technological advancements in satellite engineering. Combining access to these space images with the computing power of Google Earth Engine provided the scientists an opportunity to build a platform that provides something close to “real-time” assessments of the situation on the ground – with re-mapping occurring as often as the underlying data change. Additional Comments from Co-Authors and Others Said Dr. Abishek Harihar, Panthera Tiger Program Director: “Pushed out of 92% of its distributional range, the tiger is now found in some of the most threatened and fast-changing landscapes on our planet. Leveraging a rich legacy of tiger conservation and incorporating cutting-edge geospatial data and analysis, TCL 3.0 marks a pivotal advancement for conservation technologies that will help bolster proactive and reactive conservation efforts and strengthen our toolkit to safeguard a species still endangered by extinction. Further, by using tigers as indicators for biodiversity health, TCL 3.0 provides a platform for governments and conservationists to align with global initiatives, such as the Global Biodiversity Framework and Sustainable Development Goals, to address the urgent challenges facing our ecosystems.” Said Urs and Christine Breitenmoser, co-chairs, IUCN SSC Cat Specialist Group: “Sensible planning in conservation depends on reliable and up-to-date assessments such as the IUCN Red List and Green Status assessments. As anthropogenic impact increases and landscapes changes accelerate, we always limp behind with detecting and mitigating emerging threats. We have high expectations that near real-time monitoring systems as now developed for the tiger will help us improve the quality of our assessments and to do re-assessments at a much faster rate.” Said Stuart Chapman, WWF’s Tigers Alive Initiative Lead: “Although global tiger numbers have increased in the last few years, the area occupied by tigers continues to shrink. Working collaboratively to bring back tigers to where they once roamed is the best way to ensure a long-term and sustainable future for Asia’s most iconic big cat tiger and TCL 3.0 presents an exciting opportunity to guide objective and strategic decision making towards this ambitious conservation vision.” Said Charles Yackulic, USGS: “Analysis of ecological data often relies on models that can be difficult and slow to implement, leading to gaps in time between data collection and actionable science. The beauty of this project is that we were able to minimize the time required for analysis while also creating a reproducible and transferable approach.“ Said Jamie Sanderlin, USFS: “Our team created new statistical methods to incorporate data from multiple sources like camera traps, sign surveys, and ad-hoc observations of tigers. The innovative analysis generated a more robust picture of where tigers live. New methods like these can help scientists take advantage of hard-earned data, some of which is extremely difficult to collect due to rugged remote field conditions and the often elusive nature of species of concern, like tigers.” ### jdagostino Tue, 27 Feb 2024 10:00:00 GMT f1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:22066 https://newsroom.wcs.org/News-Releases/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/22067/Arcadia-Supports-Critical-Landscapes-and-Seascapes.aspx#Comments 0 https://newsroom.wcs.org/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=13614&ModuleID=28242&ArticleID=22067 https://newsroom.wcs.org:443/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=22067&PortalID=164&TabID=13614 Arcadia Supports Critical Landscapes and Seascapes https://newsroom.wcs.org/News-Releases/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/22067/Arcadia-Supports-Critical-Landscapes-and-Seascapes.aspx New York, February 26, 2024 – An $8 million grant from Arcadia to the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) will provide transformative support to some of the world’s most important landscapes and seascapes. This renewed commitment to WCS underscores the importance of Nature’s Strongholds as the world’s most important places to deliver on biodiversity, people, and climate action. WCS's approach to identifying Nature’s Strongholds is strategically designed around landscapes and seascapes where ecological integrity is high: that is, where nature is strong for people and the planet. Nature’s Strongholds, which hold healthy, high-integrity ecosystems, contain much of the world’s biodiversity, storing vast amounts of carbon; are more resilient to climate change; provide health benefits locally and globally; and their protection reduces the likelihood of future zoonotic pandemics. Arcadia is a longtime supporter of conservation efforts around the globe and has been an invaluable partner to WCS since 2019. Through their support to WCS, Arcadia has contributed to the enduring protection of over four million square kilometers of the most biodiverse and threatened landscapes on the planet. This includes helping create more than 20 new protected areas in nine countries; catalyzing the population recoveries of tigers, jaguars, and other threatened wildlife; and ensuring equitable and durable conservation through collaborative initiatives with governments, Indigenous Peoples, and local communities. The Nature’s Strongholds supported by Arcadia’s grant range from the high biodiversity of the greater Madidi landscape of Bolivia to the Gulf of Guinea Atlantic coastline of Central Africa. Said Joe Walston, Executive Vice President of WCS Global: “Addressing the urgency of the climate, biodiversity, and zoonotic health crises requires comprehensive and swift action. Arcadia’s commitment to protecting Nature’s Strongholds will allow WCS to do just this as we work to safeguard nature in critical regions around the world. "Nature’s Strongholds not only contain a disproportionate amount of the world’s biodiversity, but they are measurably important for our climate and hold cultural and livelihood values for millions of Indigenous Peoples and local communities. As such, they must be at the heart of any collective action to move toward planetary stability. We are grateful for Arcadia’s partnership in ensuring the long-term protection of nature for the benefit of people and the planet.” WCS is the largest site-based conservation organization in the world. WCS works with governments, Indigenous Peoples, and local communities in over 50 countries to support the conservation of over 27 million square kilometers of the highest ecological integrity areas across the globe. ### About Arcadia Arcadia is a charitable foundation that works to protect nature, preserve cultural heritage and promote open access to knowledge. Since 2002 Arcadia has awarded more than $1 billion to organizations around the world. jdagostino Mon, 26 Feb 2024 21:37:00 GMT f1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:22067 https://newsroom.wcs.org/News-Releases/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/22060/Initial-Necropsy-Findings-for-Flaco-Are-Consistent-with-Death-Due-to-Acute-Traumatic-Injury.aspx#Comments 0 https://newsroom.wcs.org/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=13614&ModuleID=28242&ArticleID=22060 https://newsroom.wcs.org:443/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=22060&PortalID=164&TabID=13614 Initial Necropsy Findings for Flaco Are Consistent with Death Due to Acute Traumatic Injury https://newsroom.wcs.org/News-Releases/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/22060/Initial-Necropsy-Findings-for-Flaco-Are-Consistent-with-Death-Due-to-Acute-Traumatic-Injury.aspx New York City, Feb. 24, 2024 – The following statement was released by Central Park Zoo: Bronx Zoo pathologists performed a necropsy today on Flaco, the Central Park Zoo’s Eurasian eagle owl, who died yesterday evening after reportedly colliding with a Manhattan building. The initial findings are consistent with death due to acute traumatic injury. The main impact appears to have been to the body, as there was substantial hemorrhage under the sternum and in the back of the body cavity around the liver. There also was a small amount of bleeding behind the left eye, but otherwise there was no evidence of head trauma. No bone fractures were found. Flaco was in good body condition at the time of death, with good muscling and adequate fat stores. His last weight taken at the Central Park Zoo was 1.9 kg (4.2 lb). He was 1.86 kg (4.1bs) at necropsy. The next step will be to identify any underlying factors that may have negatively affected his health or otherwise contributed to the event. This will include microscopic examination of tissue samples; toxicology tests to evaluate potential exposures to rodenticides or other toxins; and testing for infectious diseases such as West Nile Virus and Avian Influenza. Results from this testing will take weeks to be completed. Flaco’s tragic and untimely death highlights the issue of bird strikes and their devastating effects on wild bird populations. It is estimated that nearly one quarter of a million birds die annually in New York City as a result of colliding with buildings. Read Feb. 23, 2024 statement here: Flaco, the Eurasian Eagle Owl, Has Died ### nMoss Sat, 24 Feb 2024 23:43:00 GMT f1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:22060 https://newsroom.wcs.org/News-Releases/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/22056/Flaco-the-Eurasian-Eagle-Owl-Has-Died.aspx#Comments 0 https://newsroom.wcs.org/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=13614&ModuleID=28242&ArticleID=22056 https://newsroom.wcs.org:443/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=22056&PortalID=164&TabID=13614 Flaco, the Eurasian Eagle Owl, Has Died https://newsroom.wcs.org/News-Releases/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/22056/Flaco-the-Eurasian-Eagle-Owl-Has-Died.aspx New York City, Feb. 23, 2024 – The following statement was released by Central Park Zoo: We are saddened to report that Flaco, the Eurasian eagle owl discovered missing from the Central Park Zoo after his exhibit was vandalized just over a year ago, is dead after an apparent collision with a building on West 89th Street in Manhattan. The downed owl was reported to the Wild Bird Fund (WBF) by people in the building.  Staff from the WBF quickly responded, retrieved the non-responsive owl and declared him dead shortly afterward. The WBF notified zoo staff who picked up the bird and transported him to the Bronx Zoo for necropsy. The vandal who damaged Flaco’s exhibit jeopardized the safety of the bird and is ultimately responsible for his death. We are still hopeful that the NYPD, which is investigating the vandalism, will ultimately make an arrest. Flaco frequently had been seen in and near Central Park and other locations across Manhattan since Feb. 2, 2023. Our staff monitored him throughout the year and were prepared to recover him if he showed any sign of difficulty or distress.   We appreciate all the support and concern over the well-being of Flaco throughout the past year and the many people who contacted us with updates. We especially appreciate the quick response by the staff of the Wild Bird Fund in their attempt to help Flaco. We will provide additional information once a necropsy is performed and further testing results are in. ### nMoss Sat, 24 Feb 2024 03:14:00 GMT f1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:22056 https://newsroom.wcs.org/News-Releases/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/22034/A-Key-Milestone-for-the-Conservation-of-Amazon-Migratory-Fish-Dorado-and-Piramutaba-Included-in-CMS-Appendix-II.aspx#Comments 0 https://newsroom.wcs.org/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=13614&ModuleID=28242&ArticleID=22034 https://newsroom.wcs.org:443/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=22034&PortalID=164&TabID=13614 A Key Milestone for the Conservation of Amazon Migratory Fish: Dorado and Piramutaba Included in CMS Appendix II https://newsroom.wcs.org/News-Releases/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/22034/A-Key-Milestone-for-the-Conservation-of-Amazon-Migratory-Fish-Dorado-and-Piramutaba-Included-in-CMS-Appendix-II.aspx Samarkand, Uzbekistan, Feb. 17, 2024 -- At the Fourteenth Meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals (CMS COP14) held in Samarkand, Uzbekistan, Brazil's proposal to include the dorado (Brachyplatystoma rouseauxii) and the piramutaba (Brachyplatystoma vaillantii) in the CMS Appendix II was approved. This decision marks a crucial moment for the conservation of these two migratory catfish species in the Amazon. As Susan Lieberman, Vice President of International Policy with the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) said: "The inclusion of the dorado and piramutaba in the CMS Appendix II is a significant step toward protecting these emblematic species and their critical habitats in the Amazon Basin.” The Amazon is home to over 47 million people, including approximately 1.5 million Indigenous individuals, whose lives, cultures, and livelihoods are intimately intertwined with its rivers, lakes, flooded forests, fish, and wildlife. The longest freshwater fish migrations in the world occur in the Amazon Basin and migratory fish species represent more than 80% of the commercial capture. The dorado (Brachyplatystoma rousseauxii) and the piramutaba (Brachyplatystoma vaillantii), two migratory giants, play a fundamental role in the ecological balance and integrity of this vast and complex aquatic network. The dorado undertakes an extraordinary migration, covering over 11,000 km round-trip from the Andes to the Atlantic and back. This journey represents the longest continental water migration globally, traversing territories of several Amazonian countries including Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, and Peru. Similarly, the piramutaba embarks on extensive migrations, traveling approximately 6,300 km round trip. Said Ellee Bosman, Acting Mission Director, USAID Peru: “This decision taken at CMS, to protect two iconic migratory species, aligns with our vision of a healthy Amazon basin. Through Together for Conservation, and other initiatives, we will continue to support the region’s efforts to enhance environmental governance, protect key landscapes and species, while also securing the rights and resources necessary for sustainable development.” The Amazon Waters Alliance, the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS), and the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) recognize the importance of this decision for the sustainable management of these species and thereby maintaining biodiversity and the well-being of human populations, and appreciate the consensus adoption of the proposal at CMS CoP14.  They will continue collaborating with governments and local communities to promote policies fostering the sustainable management of dorado and piramutaba and their habitats. Together, they will continue to work tirelessly to safeguard the future of these important species and the critical ecosystems they inhabit, upon which the livelihoods of Amazon Peoples depend. Said Carolina Doria from Universidad Federal de Rondonia, Brazil, board member of the Amazon Waters Alliance, which comprises 26 partners from seven Amazon countries: “Dorado and piramutaba are species that act as indicators of the health and connectivity of Amazonian aquatic ecosystems. However, these two large catfish are at risk due to hydroelectric dams, overfishing, alluvial mining, and deforestation, thus threatening the connectivity of the entire Amazon. That's why the inclusion of the dorado and piramutaba in Appendix II of CMS is key to catalyze collaborative actions for the sustainable management of migratory fish species and the conservation of their home ranges of this fishery resource.” Collaboration among governments, local communities, Indigenous Peoples, and the private sector, along with the implementation of coordinated conservation measures, is crucial to ensure a sustainable future for both biodiversity and the people reliant on the integrity of Amazonian aquatic ecosystems. ### nMoss Sat, 17 Feb 2024 13:18:00 GMT f1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:22034 https://newsroom.wcs.org/News-Releases/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/22031/WCS-The-Convention-on-Migratory-Species-COP14-Marks-Another-Positive-Step-by-the-Global-Community-on-Behalf-of-Nature-and-People.aspx#Comments 0 https://newsroom.wcs.org/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=13614&ModuleID=28242&ArticleID=22031 https://newsroom.wcs.org:443/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=22031&PortalID=164&TabID=13614 WCS: The Convention on Migratory Species COP14 Marks Another Positive Step by the Global Community on Behalf of Nature and People https://newsroom.wcs.org/News-Releases/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/22031/WCS-The-Convention-on-Migratory-Species-COP14-Marks-Another-Positive-Step-by-the-Global-Community-on-Behalf-of-Nature-and-People.aspx Samarkand, Uzbekistan, Feb. 17, 2024 – The following statement was issued by Susan Lieberman, Vice President of International Policy for the Wildlife Conservation Society: “At CMS COP14, governments from around the world came together to ensure collaboration around conserving and protecting migrating species and their habitats. “At WCS, we are leaving Samarkand, optimistic that the global community is uniting behind the protection of nature, and energized by the tremendous spirit of collaboration at this meeting. “The threats to biodiversity across the globe have never been as destructive—including overexploitation, habitat destruction, deforestation, climate change, pollution and other harmful human activities. This was the first major intergovernmental biodiversity meeting since the adoption of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF) by the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) in 2022. It is encouraging that governments here committed to including migratory species and their conservation needs in their implementation of the GBF, including in the establishment of protected and conserved areas (the 30x30 commitment), and ensuring that any use or trade of wildlife is legal and sustainable. We are also encouraged by adoption of important decisions here at the CMS CoP, such as those on wildlife health issues, including prevention of pathogen spillover from wildlife; climate change and migratory species; jaguars; African carnivores; Central Asian mammals; and so much more. “We greatly welcome the decisions here in Samarkand to list the critically endangered sand tiger shark on Appendices I and II of the Convention, and to list the guanaco and two species of giant migratory catfish of the Amazon on Appendix II. WCS was pleased to work with proponent governments on those proposals, and we thank Brazil, Panama, Bolivia, Chile, Paraguay, and Peru for their leadership on these proposals. We appreciate the engagement here with our partners in Central Asia on the many issues and threats facing migratory animal species in this region. “The theme of this conference is “Wildlife Knows No Borders.” Migratory wild animals, more than any others, need collaboration between governments, conservation organizations, civil society, and communities across their range. Some species, such as the Amazon catfish and sharks, travel thousands of kilometers through multiple countries, and will not survive without the shared commitments and collaboration so apparent at this meeting. The conservation of these species also benefits those local communities that are dependent on many of these migratory animals for their livelihoods and cultural expression. “At WCS, we work with our partners on the conservation of wildlife and wild places in close to 60 countries around the world. As we leave Samarkand, we highlight our commitment to continue to partner with governments and all stakeholders to help achieve the goals of CMS on behalf of nature and people for generations to come.” ### nMoss Sat, 17 Feb 2024 12:58:00 GMT f1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:22031 https://newsroom.wcs.org/News-Releases/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/22011/New-Research-Reveals-The-New-York-Bight-Is-an-Important-Year-Round-Habitat-for-Endangered-Fin-Whales.aspx#Comments 0 https://newsroom.wcs.org/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=13614&ModuleID=28242&ArticleID=22011 https://newsroom.wcs.org:443/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=22011&PortalID=164&TabID=13614 New Research Reveals: The New York Bight Is an Important Year-Round Habitat for Endangered Fin Whales https://newsroom.wcs.org/News-Releases/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/22011/New-Research-Reveals-The-New-York-Bight-Is-an-Important-Year-Round-Habitat-for-Endangered-Fin-Whales.aspx New York, February 15, 2024— The New York Bight is an important year-round habitat for endangered fin whales, according to new research examining fin whale song patterns. This new paper published by Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) and Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution (WHOI) scientists in the journal “Scientific Reports” reveals new insights about the presence and potential subpopulation distribution of fin whales (Balaenoptera physalus) in waters off New York and New Jersey ranging from Montauk, NY to Cape May, NJ. To read this paper, “Fin whale song characteristics and potential subpopulation identity in the New York Bight,” go HERE. (DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-52228-8) This new research provides valuable information that can be used to inform best practices and develop effective management strategies needed to better protect endangered fin whales. For example, management strategies can be implemented seasonally if a species is only present at certain times of the year. However, when endangered animals are present year-round, seasonal strategies can leave these animals susceptible to various threats at certain times of year. To help better protect fin whales in the New York Bight, WCS and its partners are also promoting the development of a region-specific strategy for US management authorities that addresses the specific threats to fin whales in this region. A study co-author and Associate Marine Conservation Scientist with the Ocean Giants Program at WCS, Dr. Mindi Rekdahl said: “More information is needed about the distribution and behavior of fin whales within the New York Bight to help inform how this endangered species can be protected from the range of potential stressors and threats encountered year-round in these waters.” Carissa King-Nolan, a WCS Assistant Marine Conservation Scientist and lead author added, “In order to fill this knowledge gap, we used passive acoustic monitoring to examine monthly and yearly patterns in fin whale song from 2017 to 2020. These song patterns gave us valuable insight into the year-round presence and behavior of fin whales.” The researchers analyzed archived recordings from a total of 653 days for the presence of fin whale songs. Fin whale song was detected in every month of the year, with song most prevalent in the fall to winter (September–December), followed by spring (March–April), and was typically sporadic from late spring to summer (May–July). Differences in the pattern, or the interval between successive song notes, were also found. Songs during the fall to winter had short intervals between notes and this likely represented breeding behavior while songs with longer note intervals during the spring likely represented foraging behavior. The results of this study, combined with other recent research, indicate that the New York Bight is an important year-round habitat for both foraging and breeding fin whales.   WHOI built, deployed, operated, and recovered the acoustic buoys that collected the data used in the study.   “The New York Bight buoys play a critical role in the protection of wildlife, like the fin whale, in one of the busiest waterways in the world. The data collected lets industry, government and the public know when whales are nearby,” said Mark Baumgartner, co-author and WHOI marine ecologist. Dr. Howard Rosenbaum, Director of WCS’s Ocean Giants Program and study co-author said: “Perhaps it is time give some further consideration to fin whales as NY/NJ’s whale. While they may not be seen as close to shore as other whales and dolphins, it is truly remarkable that the second largest animal to have ever lived on this earth is here in the New York Bight year-round off our coasts. Hopefully, our efforts will lead to more efforts and best practices to better protect these amazing, endangered animals in the NY Bight.” This research is part of a larger joint project that includes WCS’s Ocean Giants Program and WHOI. The project, launched in 2016, uses acoustic buoys which collect data to learn more about whales in the NY Bight to help guide decision-making and best practices of human-use activities in this area. This work was supported by grants from The G. Unger Vetlesen Foundation and Equinor Wind US LLC. The WCS Ocean Giants Program does extensive research in the NY Bight to provide the science needed to protect marine species in the area and their habitat. The whales in the NY Bight include: Endangered fin whales; Critically Endangered North Atlantic right whales; humpback whales; Endangered sei whales; and minke whales. WHOI’s buoys also detect sounds and transmit information about those sounds to shore in near real time. The sounds of different species of whales can be identified by an analyst with this information and relayed to appropriate authorities for immediate action. WHOI currently operates similar buoys at seven sites on the U.S. East Coast and 2 sites on the U.S. West Coast to alert mariners about the presence of whales as part of the NOAA Slow Zones for Right Whales Program and the Benioff Ocean Science Laboratory’s Whale Safe system. WCS and WHOI’s publication on North Atlantic Right whales can be found HERE. # # # About Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution (WHOI) is a private, non-profit organization on Cape Cod, Massachusetts, dedicated to marine research, engineering, and higher education. Established in 1930, its mission is to understand the ocean and its interactions with the Earth as a whole, and to communicate an understanding of the ocean’s role in the changing global environment. WHOI’s pioneering discoveries stem from an ideal combination of science and engineering—one that has made it one of the most trusted and technically advanced leaders in fundamental and applied ocean research and exploration anywhere. WHOI is known for its multidisciplinary approach, superior ship operations, and unparalleled deep-sea robotics capabilities. We play a leading role in ocean observation and operate the most extensive suite of ocean data-gathering platforms in the world. Top scientists, engineers, and students collaborate on more than 800 concurrent projects worldwide—both above and below the waves—pushing the boundaries of knowledge to inform people and policies for a healthier planet. Learn more at whoi.edu. jdagostino Thu, 15 Feb 2024 10:00:00 GMT f1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:22011 https://newsroom.wcs.org/News-Releases/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/22012/WCS-Joins-Mozambican-President-Filipe-Nyusi-to-Advance-Conservation-Efforts.aspx#Comments 0 https://newsroom.wcs.org/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=13614&ModuleID=28242&ArticleID=22012 https://newsroom.wcs.org:443/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=22012&PortalID=164&TabID=13614 WCS Joins Mozambican President Filipe Nyusi to Advance Conservation Efforts https://newsroom.wcs.org/News-Releases/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/22012/WCS-Joins-Mozambican-President-Filipe-Nyusi-to-Advance-Conservation-Efforts.aspx Maputo, Mozambique, Feb. 14, 2024 -- The Wildlife Conservation Society was honored to be invited to participate in a high-level event today hosted by His Excellency Filipe Jacinto Nyusi, the President of the Republic of Mozambique, at Maputo National Park. The WCS team, which included John Calvelli, Executive Vice President of Public Affairs; Emma Stokes, Vice President of Global Field Conservation; Luthando Dziba, WCS Regional Director East Africa; and Afonso Madope, WCS Mozambique Country Director, had the opportunity to discuss the robust collaboration between WCS and the Government of Mozambique, most recently in the Miombo Forest Initiative in partnership with the International Conservation Caucus Foundation (ICCF) and Rainforest Trust. The Miombo Forest Initiative, launched in 2022, aims to strengthen the conservation and management of Miombo woodlands across Southern Africa —an extensive ecosystem spanning approximately 1.9 million km2 across seven countries. In the past 15 years, Miombo forests have faced significant declines from 2.7 million km2 to 1.9 million km2 due to unsustainable management and usage. The Initiative aims to ensure that miombo woodlands continue to contribute to local and global climate change efforts and biodiversity conservation, as well as to the local and national economies and sustainable development of the Miombo countries and beyond. This includes conserving critical areas within the Miombo Woodlands, such as Niassa Special Reserve. Said John Calvelli, WCS Executive Vice President of Public Affairs, who was a part of the WCS delegation meeting with by His Excellency Filipe Jacinto Nyusi: “WCS is honored to be a partner of the Miombo Forest Initiative with Mozambique, ICCF and the Rainforest Trust. This initiative will help ensure that Miombo, which is important to the livelihoods of local communities and to wildlife, is conserved and restored long into the future.” Said Stokes: "Niassa Special Reserve is one of the world’s most important ecosystems—profoundly significant for its biodiversity and cultural value. Niassa is a unique Reserve where thousands of people depend on it being managed and conserved because it supports their livelihoods—from the food it produces to the jobs it creates. It is our privilege to work with the Government of Mozambique to help conserve this profoundly important Nature’s Stronghold, a vision they established over 60 years ago.” Spanning 43,000 km2, representing 31% of Mozambique's protected areas, Niassa is the largest protected area in Mozambique. More than 60,000 local community members who live in and adjacent to Niassa depend on its miombo woodland resources for their livelihoods. These woodlands provide essential ecosystem services, including watershed protection, climate regulation, and daily access to timber, fuelwood, charcoal, and honey-gathering opportunities. In 2020, WCS signed a 20-year co-management agreement in partnership with the Administração Nacional das Áreas de Conservação (ANAC) to support the conservation of this globally important ecosystem.  The Miombo Forest Initiative is supported by partners which include WCS, the International Conservation Caucus Foundation (ICCF Group), and Rainforest Trust. ### jdagostino Wed, 14 Feb 2024 18:35:00 GMT f1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:22012 https://newsroom.wcs.org/News-Releases/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/22006/CMS-COP14-An-Historic-Opportunity-to-Protect-the-Guanaco-Migrations.aspx#Comments 0 https://newsroom.wcs.org/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=13614&ModuleID=28242&ArticleID=22006 https://newsroom.wcs.org:443/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=22006&PortalID=164&TabID=13614 CMS COP14, An Historic Opportunity to Protect the Guanaco Migrations https://newsroom.wcs.org/News-Releases/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/22006/CMS-COP14-An-Historic-Opportunity-to-Protect-the-Guanaco-Migrations.aspx Samarkand, Uzbekistan, February 12, 2024 – WCS is championing at the Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals (CoP14) the listing of guanaco (Lama guanicoe) onto CMS Appendix II, which would facilitate transboundary collaboration and cooperation around guanaco and its habitat conservation. During CMS CoP14, governments are meeting to agree on strategies for the conservation of migratory species and their habitats. This listing for guanaco would strengthen cross-border conservation initiatives between its range countries: Peru, Bolivia, Paraguay, Chile, and Argentina. And would also encourage those countries to establish sustainable management guidelines for the species. Achieving this is a step toward protecting the migrations of this iconic South American species. WCS Vice President for International Policy, Susan Lieberman, said: “It is necessary to make agreements to ensure the ecological integrity of ecosystems, so that their habitats have connectivity and threats are reduced.” The Largest Ungulate of South America Grasslands Over the last two centuries, guanaco population numbers in South America have dropped drastically, from between 10 and 30 million individuals to approximately 2.5 million today, and most remaining populations in the northern part of the range are threatened. Many guanaco populations are migratory. They depend on extensive and connected habitats to feed, reproduce, and rest. These movements are also important for the ecosystems they inhabit. Guanaco grazing likely promotes the regeneration of soil and grasses, favoring carbon sequestration and contributing to climate change adaptation and mitigation.  Restricting guanaco seasonal migrations may threaten its survival. Many of the species migrations likely have already been lost, and those that endure face a range of threats depending on the region. To protect the guanaco migratory processes, it is essential to create a network of large and interconnected protected areas, preserving grassland biodiversity and facilitating species adaptation to their shifting surroundings.  What will happen at CMS COP14?  WCS is working with range countries governments and other partners in championing the proposal to include the guanaco in CMS Appendix II. On February 13th, Lieberman will be moderating the side-event "The largest ungulate of South American grasslands" at the Bukhara Room from 13.45 to 14.30, co-organized with the government of Perú. The day of the vote that will define whether the guanaco is included in this Appendix or not will be February 17. The vote of the countries in its distribution range is decisive.  Lieberman said, “For the conservation of migratory species, in addition to what each country does, collaboration between governments and conservation organizations throughout the distribution range of these species is important.” #GuanaConnects Movement Through their migrations, guanacos connect environments and cultures of the Southern Cone of America. #GuanaConnects is a regional and multi-organizational initiative seeking to raise awareness about the guanaco by highlighting its migratory nature to promote transboundary conservation strategies. In each country, the guanaco and its migratory processes face different challenges. For that reason, it’s necessary to coordinate efforts regionally to achieve a strategy that promotes the coexistence of rural communities with the species and its conservation. Around 18 political and civil society organizations from guanaco range-countries joined forces to promote this movement to protect the migration of the species that connects landscapes and cultures in South America. WCS at CMS CoP14 To learn more about WCS’s policy positions at CMS CoP14 go HERE. Watch this video with WCS VP of International Policy Sue Lieberman on the importance of CMS CoP14 * * * COP14 de la CMS, una oportunidad histórica para proteger las migraciones de guanacos Este herbívoro icónico de los pastizales áridos y de la Cordillera de los Andes en el Cono Sur depende de hábitats vastos y conectados para alimentarse, reproducirse y descansar. La COP14 de la CMS, representa una oportunidad histórica para la conservación de las migraciones de esta especie. WCS está trabajando con los gobiernos de los países de su área de distribución y otras organizaciones de la sociedad civil para defender la propuesta de incluir el guanaco en el Apéndice II de la CMS y promover la iniciativa regional y multiorganizacional #GuanaConecta. Samarkand, Uzbegistan, 12 de Febrero, 2024 – WCS está promoviendo en la Convención sobre la Conservación de Especies Migratorias de Animales Silvestres (CoP14) la inclusión del guanaco (Lama guanicoe) en el Apéndice II de la CMS, lo que facilitaría la colaboración y cooperación transfronteriza en torno a la especie y la conservación de su hábitat. Durante la CoP14 de la CMS, los gobiernos se reunirán para acordar estrategias para la conservación de las especies migratorias y sus hábitats. Esta inclusión del guanaco fortalecería las iniciativas de conservación transfronterizas entre los países de su área de distribución: Perú, Bolivia, Paraguay, Chile y Argentina. Y también alentaría a esos países a establecer planes de gestión sostenible para la especie. Lograr esto es un paso hacia la protección de las migraciones de esta especie icónica de América del Sur. La vicepresidenta de Política Internacional de WCS, Susan Lieberman, dijo: “La inclusión del guanaco aquí en la CMS ayudará a garantizar un futuro para esta especie icónica, y la conectividad de sus hábitats y la integridad ecológica de los ecosistemas de los que depende." El ungulado más grande de los pastizales de América del Sur Durante los últimos dos siglos, la población de guanacos en América del Sur ha disminuido drásticamente, de entre 10 y 30 millones de individuos a aproximadamente 2,5 millones en la actualidad, y la mayoría de las poblaciones restantes en la parte norte de su área de distribución están amenazadas. Muchas poblaciones de guanacos son migratorias. Dependen de hábitats extensos y conectados para alimentarse, reproducirse y descansar. Estos movimientos también son importantes para los ecosistemas que habitan. El uso estacional del territorio por el guanaco promueve la regeneración del suelo y los pastos, favoreciendo el secuestro de carbono y contribuyendo a la adaptación y mitigación del cambio climático. Restringir sus migraciones estacionales puede amenazar su supervivencia. Muchas de éstas ya se han perdido y, las que persisten, enfrentan diversas amenazas según la región. Para proteger los procesos migratorios de los guanacos es esencial crear una red de áreas protegidas vastas e interconectadas, preservando la biodiversidad de los pastizales y facilitando la adaptación de las especies a sus entornos cambiantes. ¿Qué pasará en la COP14 de la CMS? WCS está trabajando con los gobiernos de los países del área de distribución y otros socios para lograr la inclusión del guanaco en el Apéndice II de la CMS. El 13 de febrero, Lieberman moderará el evento paralelo “El Ungulado Más Grande de Los Pastizales de Sudamérica” en el Salón Bukhara de 13.45 a 14.30 co-organizado con el gobierno de Perú. El día de la votación que definirá si el guanaco será incluido o no en este Apéndice II será el 17 de febrero. La votación de los países en su rango de distribución es decisiva. Lieberman dijo al respecto: “Para la conservación de las especies migratorias, además de lo que hace cada país, es importante la colaboración entre los gobiernos y las organizaciones conservacionistas en todo el área de distribución de estas especies. Movimiento #GuanaConecta  A través de sus migraciones, los guanacos conectan ambientes y culturas del Cono Sur de América. #GuanaConecta es una iniciativa regional y multiorganizacional que busca generar conciencia sobre el guanaco resaltando su naturaleza migratoria para promover estrategias de conservación transfronterizas. En cada país, el guanaco y sus procesos migratorios enfrentan desafíos diferentes. Por esa razón, es necesario coordinar esfuerzos a nivel regional. Alrededor de 18 organizaciones políticas y de la sociedad civil de los países del área de distribución del guanaco unieron fuerzas para promover este movimiento para proteger la migración de esta especie que conecta paisajes y culturas en América del Sur. drosen Mon, 12 Feb 2024 20:04:00 GMT f1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:22006 https://newsroom.wcs.org/News-Releases/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/22002/WCS-Statement-from-CMS-CoP14-First-Ever-State-of-the-Worlds-Migratory-Species-Report-Is-Sobering-News-for-Butterflies-to-Whales.aspx#Comments 0 https://newsroom.wcs.org/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=13614&ModuleID=28242&ArticleID=22002 https://newsroom.wcs.org:443/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=22002&PortalID=164&TabID=13614 WCS Statement from CMS CoP14: First-Ever ‘State of the World’s Migratory Species’ Report Is Sobering News for Butterflies to Whales https://newsroom.wcs.org/News-Releases/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/22002/WCS-Statement-from-CMS-CoP14-First-Ever-State-of-the-Worlds-Migratory-Species-Report-Is-Sobering-News-for-Butterflies-to-Whales.aspx Samarkand, Uzbekistan, Feb. 12, 2024 – The following statement was issued today by the Wildlife Conservation Society upon the release of the “State of the World’s Migratory Species,” at the start of the Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals (CMS) CoP14. Find report HERE Wildlife Conservation Society’s Vice President of International Policy Susan Lieberman said: “The first-ever ‘State of the World’s Migratory Species’ is clearly sobering news for migratory species, from butterflies to whales. The report shows that 44 percent of the migratory species listed under CMS are showing a decline in populations and 1 in 5 are threatened with extinction. “It’s clear that the 133 governments or Parties to CMS at CoP14 must use this report as a call to action to ramp up efforts to adopt much needed protections for hundreds of migratory species threatened by overexploitation, habitat loss, climate change, pollution and other harmful human activities.  “International action is urgently needed by governments to protect migratory species and their ecosystems, for the sake of the species, and the Indigenous Peoples and local communities that often depend on them and their habitats for their livelihoods and food security. “The conservation of migratory species is particularly challenging since it involves multiple governments and agencies along the migratory route of a species. One of the important advantages of CMS for migratory species is that it promotes collaboration and cooperation. “ At CMS CoP 14, our WCS delegation will be advocating that governments see their obligations under CMS, CBD, and other Conventions (CITES, and UNFCCC as well) in an integrated manner. WCS is calling on governments to take migratory species and their habitats into consideration when implementing the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, including as relates to the target on protection and conservation of at least 30% of lands and waters (30x30).  If governments do everything they have committed to do, then the next ‘State of the World’s Migratory Species’ will have some good news. WCS is working to help our partners make that happen in close to 60 countries around the world, where there are migratory species everywhere we work, on land, freshwater, and in the ocean.” ###  WCS at CMS CoP14 To learn more about WCS’s policy positions at CMS CoP14 go HERE. Watch this video with WCS VP of International Policy Sue Lieberman on the importance of CMS CoP14 drosen Mon, 12 Feb 2024 11:42:00 GMT f1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:22002 https://newsroom.wcs.org/News-Releases/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/21987/Wildlife-Conservation-Society-Delegation-Heading-to-Convention-on-Migratory-Species-of-Wild-Animals-CMS-CoP14.aspx#Comments 0 https://newsroom.wcs.org/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=13614&ModuleID=28242&ArticleID=21987 https://newsroom.wcs.org:443/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=21987&PortalID=164&TabID=13614 Wildlife Conservation Society Delegation Heading to Convention on Migratory Species of Wild Animals (CMS) CoP14 https://newsroom.wcs.org/News-Releases/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/21987/Wildlife-Conservation-Society-Delegation-Heading-to-Convention-on-Migratory-Species-of-Wild-Animals-CMS-CoP14.aspx Samarkand, Uzbekistan, Feb. 9, 2024 -- A Wildlife Conservation Society delegation is heading to the Convention on Migratory Species of Wild Animals CoP14, Feb. 12-17, in Samarkand, Uzbekistan. The WCS delegation will be led by Dr. Susan Lieberman, WCS VP of International Policy, and includes WCS scientists and experts from WCS International Policy, WCS Sharks and Rays, WCS Argentina, WCS Brazil, WCS Mongolia, WCS Afghanistan, WCS Temperate Asia, and WCS-EU. Lieberman is available for interviews on all topics at CMS. The 133 national governments or Parties to the treaty will come together in Samarkand to agree on strategies for the conservation of migratory species and their habitats. CMS emphasizes: “CoP14 is the most significant global biodiversity meeting since the adoption of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF) in Montreal in 2022.” Said Lieberman: “Decisions made by Party governments over the course of the meeting will have profound implications for the future of species and habitat conservation and sustainable development. We are urging Parties to fully integrate implementation of CMS with their implementation of the GBF.” There are a number of species that are proposed to be included on the Appendices to CMS at CoP14 (CMS Appendix I provides maximum protection; and CMS Appendix II requires transboundary collaboration and cooperation). In particular, WCS is working with its government and other partners in championing three proposals: one to include the Critically Endangered sand tiger shark (Carcharias taurus) in Appendices I and II; another to include two catfish of the Amazon basin (the gilded catfish or dorado, Brachyplatystoma rousseauxii, and the Laulao catfish also known as the Piramutaba or Manitoa) in Appendix II; and the third proposal is to include the guanaco (Lama guanaco), a species found in the Andes in South America, in Appendix II. WCS will engage in policy discussions relevant to: ecological integrity and connectivity; wildlife disease and pathogen spillover; the threat of over-exploitation and trade (domestic and international) to migratory species; the impact of climate change on migratory species; Central Asian Migratory Mammals; African carnivores; jaguars; sharks and rays; and many other species and issues. WCS CMS CoP 14 policy positions can be found here (noting that the French and Spanish are machine translations): WCS CMS policy document (English) WCS CMS policy document (French) WCS CMS policy document (Spanish)  More on WCS and Catfish Listen to a WCS Wild Audio podcast, including interviews with WCS Peru Country Director Mariana Montoya and VP of International Policy Sue Lieberman, on CMS CoP14 catfish proposals HERE. More on WCS and Guanaco Go HERE to learn about #GuanacoConnecta, a regional and multi-organizational initiative seeking to raise awareness about guanaco by highlighting its migratory nature to promote transboundary conservation strategies. In the upcoming days, WCS activities at CMS CoP14 can be followed HERE. ### jdagostino Fri, 09 Feb 2024 16:09:00 GMT f1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:21987 https://newsroom.wcs.org/News-Releases/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/21965/WCSs-8th-Annual-Youth-JIVE-at-the-Bronx-Zoo-Tomorrow-Saturday-Feb-3-WCS-Holds-Job-Internship-and-Volunteering-Expo-for-Local-NYC-Youth.aspx#Comments 0 https://newsroom.wcs.org/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=13614&ModuleID=28242&ArticleID=21965 https://newsroom.wcs.org:443/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=21965&PortalID=164&TabID=13614 WCS’s 8th Annual Youth JIVE at the Bronx Zoo Tomorrow, Saturday, Feb. 3 WCS Holds Job, Internship and Volunteering Expo for Local NYC Youth https://newsroom.wcs.org/News-Releases/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/21965/WCSs-8th-Annual-Youth-JIVE-at-the-Bronx-Zoo-Tomorrow-Saturday-Feb-3-WCS-Holds-Job-Internship-and-Volunteering-Expo-for-Local-NYC-Youth.aspx Bronx, NY – Feb. 2, 2024 – The WCS 8th Annual Youth JIVE event is geared towards youth ages 14-26 and encourages local youth to attend and learn more about employment and volunteer opportunities across the WCS Zoos and Aquarium in New York City. The 8th Annual Youth JIVE returns on Saturday, February 3, 2024, and it will take place in Schiff Family Great Hall at the Bronx Zoo. The event will run from 11:00am to 1:00pm for those ages 16-26, where they will meet with hiring managers to get information about jobs, internships, and volunteer opportunities available across the WCS Zoos and Aquarium. For those 14-15 years of age, the event will resume at 1:30pm-3:30pm, where younger youth can learn more about volunteer opportunities and how they can turn into paid positions down the line. Everyone planning to attend must register ahead of the event and registration includes admission to the Bronx Zoo. WHAT: 8th Annual WCS Youth JIVE WHERE: Bronx Zoo (Media Parking in Southern Boulevard); in Schiff Family Great Hall WHEN: Saturday, February 3, 2024; Event starts: 11am Said Speaker of the New York City Council, Adrienne Adams, 28th District in Queens: “The Wildlife Conservation Society’s 8th annual Youth Jobs, Internships, and Volunteer Expo is an important opportunity for young people to learn about ways to get involved at their local zoo or aquarium,” said Speaker Adrienne Adams. “The Council is proud to fund this expo and expand workforce development for our city’s youth. By providing jobs and volunteer opportunities, WCS is preparing the next generation of New Yorkers for careers in this critical field. I encourage all young people to attend the upcoming expo on Saturday, February 3rd!” New York City Council Majority Leader Amanda Farías said: "I am excited to see the 8th annual Wildlife Conservation Society’s Youth JIVE (Jobs, Internship, & Volunteer) Expo held at the Bronx Zoo. JIVE engages young people across the Bronx to take advantage of the many opportunities WCS has to offer. The Bronx Zoo continues to be the largest employer of youth in the Bronx and has remained committed to inspiring a diverse and inclusive class of conservationists and STEM professionals. As Chair of the Committee on Economic Development and a lifelong Bronxite, I am proud to support this program and hope more of our community institutions citywide create youth workforce pipelines that echo that of the Wildlife Conservation Society." "The Wildlife Conservation Society doesn't just care for the animals at the Bronx Zoo, it cares for an entire community, providing education and employment to countless New Yorkers," said Shekar Krishnan, Council Member and Chair of the Committee on Parks & Recreation. "Programs like the 8th Annual Youth JIVE event, which invites youth to learn about volunteer and job opportunities at the zoo, exemplify WCS's dedication to the Bronx and New York City, and I'm proud to support them.” Said New York City Council Member and Chair of the Youth Services Committee​​​​​​,​ Althea Stevens, 16th District in the Bronx: "It is crucial to ensure that young people have access to a diverse range of opportunities as it enables them to explore unique career paths. I would like to express my gratitude to the Bronx Zoo and the JIVE program for their continuous support in promoting youth education and professional development."  Said New York City Council Member, Lynn Schulman, 29th District in Queens: "The WCS JIVE program is a wonderful opportunity for young New Yorkers to become involved with the WCS Zoos and Aquariums,” said Council Member Lynn Schulman, Chair of the Health Committee. “I encourage all young people to attend a session to learn about WCS, explore employment possibilities and take advantage of one of the most vibrant cultural institutions New York City has to offer.” New York City Council Member, Rafael Salamanca Jr., 17th District in the Bronx, said: “For too long, Bronx youth have faced inequitable investment in their future, making programs like WCS’s Annual Youth JIVE event all the more important. Encouraging local youth to take an interest in employment and volunteer opportunities across the WCS Zoos and Aquarium in New York City finally provides them a fair chance to accomplish their dreams, while having a healthy introduction and advancement into the workforce.” Said New York City Council Member, Oswald Feliz, 15th District in the Bronx: “I am excited for the Bronx Zoo to open its doors to the youth during the upcoming 8th annual Wildlife Conservation Society’s Youth JIVE Expo. The interactive workshops offered at the expo will give the youth an opportunity to connect with resources for professional development, which is vital to provide them with the tools necessary for economic success which will benefit the community as a whole.” To learn more about how WCS supports young people using a three-pronged approach see the Interim Lattice Report 2023 (wcs.org). Said John Calvelli, EVP of Public Affairs at the Wildlife Conservation Society: “JIVE is an entry point for local youth to engage in the many opportunities WCS has to offer. In addition to meeting with hiring managers, attendees can join workshops on STEM careers, resume development, and financial literacy. After years of being remote, WCS welcomes this opportunity back to the Bronx Zoo and looks forward to launching career opportunities for hundreds of local New Yorkers. WCS thanks the ongoing and generous support of the NYC Council and Speaker Adams for their support of the WCS Career Lattice and JIVE.” The Bronx Zoo is the largest employer of youth in the Bronx. WCS Education is committed to inspiring a diverse and inclusive movement of conservation advocates and STEM professionals. Our work with youth is a centerpiece of this mission. Each year, over 1,800 youth ages 14 to 26 years old participate in enrichment, volunteer, internship, and employment opportunities across our five parks.  Admission to JIVE is free, but registration is required for entry. For 14-15 year olds, register here, and for 16-26 year olds, register here. For those who cannot attend in-person, self-guided virtual resources are available. MEDIA NOTES:  ■      Members of the media planning to cover the run and post event activities should contact Mary Dixon at mdixon@wcs.org or (347) 840-1242 so that parking and in-park transportation can be arranged. ### jdagostino Fri, 02 Feb 2024 15:10:00 GMT f1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:21965 https://newsroom.wcs.org/News-Releases/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/21954/Climate-Change-Threatens-Older-Elephants-Most-Jeopardizing-African-Elephants-Future.aspx#Comments 0 https://newsroom.wcs.org/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=13614&ModuleID=28242&ArticleID=21954 https://newsroom.wcs.org:443/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=21954&PortalID=164&TabID=13614 Climate Change Threatens Older Elephants Most, Jeopardizing African Elephants’ Future https://newsroom.wcs.org/News-Releases/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/21954/Climate-Change-Threatens-Older-Elephants-Most-Jeopardizing-African-Elephants-Future.aspx AMHERST, Mass, January 31, 2023 – A collaborative team of researchers from the University of Massachusetts Amherst and the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS), which runs the world’s largest field conservation program, has conducted first-of-its kind research into how global climate change affects African elephants. The work, published recently in PLOS Sustainability and Transformation, shows that older elephants will have markedly decreased chances of survival, which will not only drastically reduce the species’ overall ability to weather the changing climate but will send ripple effects throughout the surrounding landscape. The team has also modelled possible mitigation scenarios, which WCS is already implementing. Africa’s Greater Virunga Landscape (GVL) is a 15,700-square-kilometer area of savannas, mountains and lakes in Uganda, Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo. It is home to the largest land animals Africa, with seven national parks, three tropical high-forest reserves and three wildlife reserves, three of which are world heritage sites, covering 88% of the area. It is also home to a population of African elephants whose numbers have dropped so precipitously over the past century that they are now listed as critically endangered by the International Union for Conservation’s Red List. Elephants play a key role in modifying and sustaining their landscapes by dispersing the seeds of the plants they feed upon, felling trees and enriching soil fertility with their dung. They also play an important role in many African cultures. To date, few studies have focused on the dynamics of the environment, climate change, elephant demography and how the changing habitat influences elephants over long periods. To get a clearer picture of what the elephants’ future might look like and what we can do to best ensure their survival, lead author Simon Nampindo, who completed this research as part of his Ph.D. in environmental conservation for UMass Amherst and who is now country director for WCS Uganda, and Timothy Randhir, professor of environmental conservation at UMass Amherst, built a systems dynamic model. “This model,” says Nampindo, “can look at all the different environmental and population dynamics within a system. For the first time, we’re able to get a comprehensive vision of what the future might look like for African elephants in the face of climate change.” Nampindo and Randhir built their model using data on the numbers of elephants, historical changes in the landscape and different future climate-change scenarios representing 1.6 º, 2.8º and 4.3º Celsius of warming over the next 80 years. Finally, they charted the effect each of the climate scenarios would have on five elephant age brackets: under 10 years old, 11 – 30, 31 – 40, 41 – 50, and more than 50 years old, because, as Randhir puts it “any impact on one age class has a community effect throughout the entire population.” “We found that the older elephants will be massively affected by warming under every scenario,” says Nampindo. “Elephants are matriarchal—their leaders are the older cows, and the herds depend on their wisdom, long memories and ability to outsmart prey, and if they are lost to changing climate, it will wreak havoc on the surviving, younger herds, as well as change the genetic profiles and structures of the herd. There will also be ripple effects through the GVL’s landscape.” “But,” says Randhir, “this model not only tells us what the threats are, we can also use it to tell us which policy possibilities will be most effective in helping African elephants to survive.” In the case of a species like the elephant, which migrates widely across national boundaries, it is especially important to also understand how differing policies could affect future herds so that management agencies can coordinate their responses. In particular, Nampindo and Randhir find that a coordinated GVL management strategy at the national, regional and local levels is needed to address poaching threats. Well-funded anti-poaching efforts are essential, but they also point to the importance of community-led programs and education in the front-line towns and villages where human-elephant interaction is common. The GVL landscape must also be managed appropriately to reduce the impact of habitat fragmentation, fire and invasive species. “These results are very important to WCS,” says Nampindo. “If we can do a good job at protecting elephants, our efforts will reverberate to other species, such as lions and mountain gorillas” “More broadly,” says Randhir, “the most exciting thing about this systems dynamic modelling is that it can be adapted to any migratory species that move across political boundaries, from fish to birds to lions.” A media kit, with photos, captions, credit info and a copy of the study is available here. # # # nMoss Wed, 31 Jan 2024 19:50:00 GMT f1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:21954 https://newsroom.wcs.org/News-Releases/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/21951/Update-on-Status-of-Prospect-Park-Zoo-Following-the-September-2023-Extreme-Flooding-in-Brooklyn.aspx#Comments 0 https://newsroom.wcs.org/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=13614&ModuleID=28242&ArticleID=21951 https://newsroom.wcs.org:443/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=21951&PortalID=164&TabID=13614 Update on Status of Prospect Park Zoo Following the September 2023 Extreme Flooding in Brooklyn https://newsroom.wcs.org/News-Releases/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/21951/Update-on-Status-of-Prospect-Park-Zoo-Following-the-September-2023-Extreme-Flooding-in-Brooklyn.aspx Update on Jan. 31, 2024 News Release on Prospect Park Zoo: The Biden Administration on Jan. 31, 2024, approved a New York Disaster Declaration and ordered federal assistance for local recovery efforts in the areas affected by the severe storms and flooding in late September, 2023. This funding follows a request in November, 2023, from NY State Governor Kathy Hochul to the federal government requesting this assistance. Support for Prospect Park Zoo restoration was included in the governor’s request. NEW YORK, (January 31, 2024) --- Steps to reopen Prospect Park Zoo in Brooklyn since its facilities were severely damaged during the extreme rain which hit New York City on September 29, 2023, are well underway.  Said Craig Piper, Vice President of City Zoos for the Wildlife Conservation Society: “We do not have a firm reopening date for Prospect Park Zoo, but we are making progress with restoration of our infrastructure. We’re specifically focused on getting the park back on permanent electrical power which is an important first step. The animals, which were not affected by the storm, continue to do well and our staff continues to care for the animals and the campus as always. “We are issuing this update to assure the community we are moving forward with reopening. We are working with our partners in the New York City Department of Parks and Recreation and New York State Governor Kathy Hochul’s office to secure the federal funding for the restoration.” Governor Hochul submitted a request for a Major Disaster Declaration from President Biden on November 29, 2023, to support ongoing recovery in areas impacted by the September storm event including Brooklyn. If approved, federal funding would be made available to support the zoo’s restoration as well as to develop mitigation strategies to prevent damage in future storm events. Said Piper: “We know that families and all our zoo guests have been missing visits to Prospect Park Zoo. We appreciate all the messages of support we’ve received and look forward to welcoming everyone back to the zoo as soon as possible.” Prospect Park Zoo has been temporarily closed since a September 2023 storm deluged the zoo with more than 7 inches of rain and run-off from surrounding streets. Overall, the city of New York experienced a month’s worth of rain in just a few hours. The flooding had a major impact on boilers, HVAC, electrical, and aquatic life support and other systems which are located in building basements and sub-basements. The basements took on up to 25 feet of water at an unprecedented rate as storm sewers in the area reached full capacity.  A warming planet means that storms are becoming wetter and more destructive. As New York continues to experience escalating extreme weather events, efforts to repair and rebuild the zoo will focus on building resiliency to these impacts, in order to safeguard animals as well as the visitor experience.  See original statement from WCS on the damage at Prospect Park Zoo HERE. ### jdagostino Wed, 31 Jan 2024 15:29:00 GMT f1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:21951 https://newsroom.wcs.org/News-Releases/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/21948/Nouabale-Ndoki-National-Park-Celebrates-30-Years-as-2023-Marked-First-Year-Without-Any-Elephant-Poaching-Detected.aspx#Comments 0 https://newsroom.wcs.org/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=13614&ModuleID=28242&ArticleID=21948 https://newsroom.wcs.org:443/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=21948&PortalID=164&TabID=13614 Nouabalé-Ndoki National Park Celebrates 30 Years, as 2023 Marked First Year Without Any Elephant Poaching Detected https://newsroom.wcs.org/News-Releases/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/21948/Nouabale-Ndoki-National-Park-Celebrates-30-Years-as-2023-Marked-First-Year-Without-Any-Elephant-Poaching-Detected.aspx BRAZZAVILLE, Republic of Congo, January 31, 2024 – The 30th Anniversary of Nouabalé-Ndoki National Park commemorates conservation achievements, despite increasing pressures. On this occasion, the Park ramps up tourism-oriented efforts with the unveiling of its new official website – https://ndoki.org – and marks this celebration with a special video. Republic of Congo’s Nouabalé-Ndoki National Park commemorates 30 years of conservation, science and local community development, to retain its status as one of the true wilderness areas left on the African continent. Created on December 31, 1993, and inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2012 as part of the wider Sangha Trinational landscape, the Park has been administered since 2014 through a Public-Private Partnership agreement between Congo’s Ministry of Forest Economy (MEF) and the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS), creating the Nouabalé-Ndoki Foundation. “We didn’t detect any elephants killed in the Park this year, a first for the Park since we’ve began collecting data. This success comes after nearly a decade of concerted efforts to protect forest elephants from armed poaching in the Park. With prospering collaboration between MEF and WCS, and to address the escalating threats to the region’s wildlife, the Nouabalé-Ndoki National Park made significant investments in the ranger force, with training to reinforce professionalism, self-defense capabilities, and adherence to both the law and human rights,” explains Ben Evans, the Park’s management unit director. Long protected by its isolation, Nouabalé-Ndoki National Park has been increasingly exposed to anthropogenic threats, notably linked to the development of road infrastructure and growing demographic pressure. The Congolaise Industrielle des Bois (CIB) and other neighboring logging concessions, the majority of which are FSC-certified, work with the Park to apply results of the research conducted by WCS on wildlife to limit the impacts of logging and road building. As key stakeholders in the creation of the Park, the Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities of the neighboring villages of Bomassa and Makao play a central role in its management and governance. The Park works with communities to improve their livelihoods, promote sustainable resource use in the Park periphery, and ensure people can benefit from the Park.  "The Park has created long-term jobs, which are rare in the region, and has brought substantial benefits to neighboring communities through the creation of schools and health centers, and access to clean water. Tourism is also emerging as a promising avenue for economic growth," said Gabriel Mobolambi, chief of Bomassa village. The Makao and Bomassa health centers receive up to 250 patients a month. The Park provides continuous access to primary education for nearly 300 pupils in Bomassa and Makao. In Bomassa, 80% of heads of households are Park employees. Nouabalé-Ndoki has recently become the first certified Gorilla FriendlyTM National Park, ensuring best practices are in place for all gorilla-related operations, from tourism to research, with active support for and from the Park’s neighboring communities. In alignment with the national policy aimed at promoting a green economy in the Congo, the Nouabalé-Ndoki National Park initiated a tourism development program, with the goal to generate 15% of its budget from tourism revenue. For its 30th Anniversary, the Park unveils its tourism-oriented web platform - https://ndoki.org. To visit Nouabalé-Ndoki, find more information on the new website! In 1993, recognizing the importance of this area for biodiversity conservation, the government of Congo created the Nouabalé-Ndoki National Park. The partnership between MEF and WCS has grown stronger and ensures the Park remains one of the world’s last truly wild spaces, and one of the few areas where populations of elephants and great apes have remained stable. For decades, commitment, cooperation and professionalism of all the Park staff have been the driving force for this unique achievement. Following the addition of the Djéké Triangle in 2023, the Park now covers a total of 4,334 km2. A protected area of global importance, Noubalé-Ndoki National Park harbors most notably large populations of mammals, including emblematic species of forest elephants, chimpanzees, western lowland gorillas and bongos, as well as a diversity of reptiles, birds, insects. The Park also boasts a rich flora, with century-old mahogany and large-diameter trees crucial for carbon capture. Conservation science has consistently served as a key tool for gathering the data and information needed to steer the effective management of the Nouabalé-Ndoki National Park. For the past two decades, large mammals have been monitored across the landscape every five years by foot surveys on line transects. The Ndoki-Likouala survey is one of the largest, best resourced and most informative monitoring program on the continent. Thanks to these regular surveys, populations of iconic species are known to be stable, with around 3,200 forest elephants, around 2,200 western lowland gorillas and around 3,000 chimpanzees living in the Park. Visit the new website - https://ndoki.org Watch the Parks 30th Anniversary special video edit - https://youtu.be/jrq60C3oz9U  About WCS Congo For more than 30 years, WCS has played a major role in the conservation of wildlife and wild places in the Republic of Congo, where it has contributed to the creation, expansion and management of three of the five national parks. WCS works closely with the government, national stakeholders and local communities to protect Congo's rich ecosystems. About Nouabalé-Ndoki National Park Nouabalé-Ndoki National Park is arguably the best remaining example of an intact ecosystem in the Congo Basin. It covers more than 4,000 km2 of lowland rainforest and is home to critical populations of endangered mammals, such as forest elephants, lowland gorillas and chimpanzees. Nouabalé-Ndoki was nominated as a World Heritage Site in 2012. * * * LE PARC NATIONAL DE NOUABALE-NDOKI CELEBRE SES 30 ANS, ALORS QUE 2023 MARQUE LA 1ERE ANNEE SANS AUCUNE OBSERVATION D'ELEPHANT BRACONNE BRAZZAVILLE, République du Congo, 31 janvier 2024 – Le 30ème anniversaire du Parc National de Nouabalé-Ndoki commémore ses succès en matière de conservation, malgré l'augmentation de pressions diverses. À cette occasion, le Parc intensifie ses efforts sur le plan du développement touristique, en dévoilant son nouveau site web officiel – https://ndoki.org – et marque cette célébration avec une vidéo spéciale. Le Parc National de Nouabalé-Ndoki, en République du Congo, commémore 30 ans de conservation communautaire, de recherche scientifique et de développement local, afin de conserver son statut de l'une des véritables régions sauvages du continent africain. Créé le 31 décembre 1993 et inscrit sur la Liste du patrimoine mondial de l'UNESCO en 2012 en tant que composante du paysage du Trinational de la Sangha, le Parc est administré depuis 2014 dans le cadre d'un accord de partenariat public-privé entre le Ministère congolais de l'Économie Forestière (MEF) et la Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS), créant ainsi la Fondation Nouabalé-Ndoki.  « Nous n’avons détecté aucun éléphant tué dans le Parc cette année, une première pour le Parc depuis que nous y collectons des données. Ce succès intervient après une décennie d’efforts concertés pour protéger les éléphants de forêt du braconnage armé au sein du Parc. Grâce à une collaboration fructueuse entre le MEF et WCS, et pour faire face aux menaces croissantes qui pèsent sur la faune de la région, le Parc National de Nouabalé-Ndoki a réalisé des investissements significatifs dans les effectifs des éco-gardes, avec une importante formation pour renforcer le professionnalisme, les capacités d'autodéfense et la conformité à la fois à la loi et aux droits de l'Homme, » explique Ben Evans, Directeur de l'unité de gestion du Parc. Longtemps protégé par son isolement, le Parc National de Nouabalé-Ndoki est de plus en plus exposé aux menaces anthropiques, notamment liées au développement des infrastructures routières et à la pression démographique croissante. La Congolaise Industrielle des Bois (CIB) et d'autres concessions forestières voisines, dont la majorité est certifiée FSC, collaborent avec le Parc pour appliquer les résultats des recherches menées par WCS sur la faune sauvage afin de limiter les impacts de l'exploitation forestière et de la construction de routes. En tant qu'acteurs clés de la création du Parc, les Peuples Autochtones et les Communautés Locales des villages voisins de Bomassa et Makao jouent un rôle central dans sa gestion et sa gouvernance. Le Parc travaille avec les communautés pour améliorer leurs moyens de subsistance, promouvoir l'utilisation durable des ressources à la périphérie du Parc et veiller à ce que les populations puissent bénéficier du Parc. « Le Parc a créé des emplois à long terme, ce qui est rare dans la région, et a apporté des avantages substantiels aux communautés environnantes grâce à la création d'écoles et de centres de santé et à l'accès à l'eau potable. Le tourisme apparaît également comme une voie prometteuse de croissance économique, » a déclaré Gabriel Mobolambi, chef du village de Bomassa. Les centres de santé de Makao et Bomassa accueillent jusqu’à 250 patients par mois. Le Parc assure un accès continu à l’éducation primaire à près de 300 élèves à Bomassa et Makao. À Bomassa, 80% des chefs de foyer sont employés du Parc. Nouabalé-Ndoki est récemment devenu le premier Parc National certifié Gorilla FriendlyTM, garantissant que les meilleures pratiques sont en place pour toutes les opérations liées aux gorilles, du tourisme à la recherche, avec un soutien actif pour, et de la part des communautés voisines du Parc. En accord avec la politique nationale visant à promouvoir une économie verte au Congo, le Parc National de Nouabalé-Ndoki a lancé un programme de développement du tourisme, avec l'objectif de générer 15% de son budget à partir des revenus du tourisme. A l'occasion de son 30ème anniversaire, le Parc dévoile sa plateforme web à vocation touristique - https://ndoki.org. Pour visiter Nouabalé-Ndoki, retrouvez plus d'informations sur le nouveau site web ! En 1993, reconnaissant l'importance de cette zone pour la conservation de la biodiversité, le gouvernement du Congo a créé le Parc National de Nouabalé-Ndoki. Le partenariat entre le MEF et WCS s'est renforcé et garantit que le Parc reste l'un des derniers espaces véritablement sauvages au monde, et l'une des rares zones où les populations d'éléphants et de grands singes sont restées stables. Depuis des décennies, l'engagement, la coopération et le professionnalisme de l'ensemble du personnel du Parc ont été la force motrice de cet accomplissement unique. Avec l'ajout du Triangle de Djéké, le Parc couvre désormais une superficie totale de 4 334 km2. Aire protégée d'importance mondiale, le Parc National de Nouabalé-Ndoki abrite notamment d'importantes populations de mammifères, dont des espèces emblématiques comme les éléphants de forêt, les chimpanzés, les gorilles des plaines de l’Ouest et les bongos, ainsi qu'une diversité de reptiles, d'oiseaux, d'insectes. Le Parc s'enorgueillit également d'une flore riche, avec des acajous centenaires et des arbres de grand diamètre essentiels à la capture du carbone. La science de la conservation a toujours été un outil essentiel pour recueillir les données et les informations nécessaires à une gestion efficace du Parc National de Nouabalé-Ndoki. Depuis une vingtaine d'années, les grands mammifères sont suivis dans le paysage tous les cinq ans par des enquêtes à pied sur des transects linéaires. L'étude Ndoki-Likouala est l'un des programmes de suivi écologique les plus importants, les mieux dotés en ressources et les plus instructifs du continent. Grâce à ces inventaires réguliers, les populations d’espèces emblématiques sont connues pour être stables, avec environ 3 200 éléphants de forêt, environ 2 200 gorilles des plaines de l’Ouest et environ 3 000 chimpanzés vivant dans le Parc. Visitez le nouveau site web - https://ndoki.org Voir la vidéo spéciale 30e anniversaire du Parc - https://youtu.be/Fv0By2ht_yM À propos de la WCS Congo Depuis plus de 30 ans, la WCS joue un rôle majeur dans la conservation de la faune et des espaces sauvages en République du Congo, où elle a contribué à la création, à l'expansion et à la gestion de trois des cinq parcs nationaux. La WCS travaille en étroite collaboration avec le gouvernement, les parties prenantes nationales et les communautés locales pour protéger les riches écosystèmes du Congo. À propos du Parc National de Nouabalé-Ndoki Le Parc National de Nouabalé-Ndoki est un des meilleurs exemples restant d'un écosystème intact dans le bassin du Congo. Il couvre plus de 4 000 km2 de forêt tropicale et abrite des populations importantes de mammifères menacés, tels que les éléphants de forêt, les gorilles et les chimpanzés. Nouabalé-Ndoki est un site du patrimoine mondial depuis 2012. nMoss Wed, 31 Jan 2024 04:39:00 GMT f1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:21948 https://newsroom.wcs.org/News-Releases/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/21938/Bronx-Zoo-Re-Joins-Zoo-and-Aquarium-Efforts-to-Breed-Endangered-Sunda-Gharial.aspx#Comments 0 https://newsroom.wcs.org/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=13614&ModuleID=28242&ArticleID=21938 https://newsroom.wcs.org:443/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=21938&PortalID=164&TabID=13614 Bronx Zoo Re-Joins Zoo and Aquarium Efforts to Breed Endangered Sunda Gharial https://newsroom.wcs.org/News-Releases/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/21938/Bronx-Zoo-Re-Joins-Zoo-and-Aquarium-Efforts-to-Breed-Endangered-Sunda-Gharial.aspx Bronx, NY, January 26, 2024 – Visitors to the Bronx Zoo can view three newly acquired Sunda gharial in the World of Reptiles. The three male siblings, about five years old, that were hatched at Audubon Zoo in New Orleans will be raised at the Bronx Zoo to support the propagation efforts of the Association of Zoos & Aquariums (AZA) Sunda Gharial Species Survival Plan (SSP). The Bronx Zoo was the first zoo in the United States to successfully hatch the Sunda gharial (Tomistoma schlegelii) nearly four decades ago in 1985. Sunda gharials are a freshwater crocodilian species found in flooded forests, swamps, and wetlands throughout Southeast Asia, with individuals reported in Brunei Darussalam, Indonesia (Sumatera, Jawa, Kalimantan), and Malaysia (Peninsular Malaysia, Sarawak). The species, known as one of the giant crocodilians, can grow as long as 18 feet and is considered an apex predator within its ecosystem. With fewer than 2,400 adults estimated to remain in the wild, The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN)lists the species as Endangered. The IUCN further notes that in its original habitat range, the species is Extinct in Malaysia (Sabah) and Thailand; its presence in Vietnam is uncertain. There are 36 Sunda gharials in AZA zoos and aquariums and another 118 estimated in zoos and aquariums worldwide. Many threats, such as habitat loss, illegal hunting, and the climate crisis, threaten Sunda gharial's survival in the wild. With their wild population numbers continuing to decline, AZA zoos and aquariums have developed a collaborative propagation program as an effort to ensure the survival of a genetically diverse population of this species. ### jdagostino Fri, 26 Jan 2024 06:00:00 GMT f1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:21938 https://newsroom.wcs.org/News-Releases/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/21920/New-Paper-Highly-Productive-Marine-Areas-Are-Essential-to-Future-Conservation-Efforts-That-Can-Help-Achieve-30x30.aspx#Comments 0 https://newsroom.wcs.org/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=13614&ModuleID=28242&ArticleID=21920 https://newsroom.wcs.org:443/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=21920&PortalID=164&TabID=13614 New Paper: Highly Productive Marine Areas Are Essential to Future Conservation Efforts That Can Help Achieve 30x30 https://newsroom.wcs.org/News-Releases/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/21920/New-Paper-Highly-Productive-Marine-Areas-Are-Essential-to-Future-Conservation-Efforts-That-Can-Help-Achieve-30x30.aspx New York, January 19, 2024 – Scientists are providing in a new research paper an analysis of highly productive marine areas to help the world achieve the protection of at least 30 percent of the planet by 2030. The parties to the Convention of Biological Diversity agreed to this worldwide goal upon the adoption of the Kunming-Montreal Biological Diversity Framework in 2022. The multifaceted contribution of highly productive marine areas, which enable biodiversity, support human welfare and help mitigate climate change, are an essential, but currently overlooked, conservation priority for consideration in both global nature conservation and human wellbeing policy, write the authors of the new paper in ScienceDirect. The paper, ‘Global marine conservation priorities for sustaining marine productivity, preserving biodiversity and addressing climate change’ can be found here. The authors are from the Wildlife Conservation Society, University of Queensland, and University of South Wales. WCS’s Dr. Solange Fermepin, said: “Traditional marine conservation priority setting has focused on species-rich ecosystems such as coral reefs, and typically resulted in priority areas of core global importance mainly in and around low latitudes. This analysis adds to the current body of knowledge by exploring the notion of marine productivity as an enabling condition of marine ecosystems and thus an important feature to inform and complement future conservation efforts.” Marine primary productivity—where the amount of chlorophyll in the water enables marine life to cascade up the food chain—is a critical driver of functioning marine ecosystems, providing a foundation for biological diversity and associated economic productivity, and a key component of the oceanic carbon sink. These attributes make productivity an important dimension for conservation approaches. However, it is largely under-represented within the global marine protected area estate. Fermepin and colleagues looked at the global distribution and extent of marine areas of high-primary productivity and low impact as candidate areas for conservation efforts; at how representative these areas are of the global marine biomes; and about how they might change under different climate scenarios. They found that there are more than 18.6 million km² of high productivity-low impact areas in the global ocean, an area larger than the size of Russia or a bit more than 5% of the global ocean. Moreover, only 11% of this vast area is currently safeguarded within designated marine protected areas or sustainable management initiatives. Importantly, about 80% of the high-productivity and low-impact areas, fall within national jurisdiction. WCS’s Martin Mendez, said: “On the one hand, these results mean that the legal protection of the majority of these important marine areas would require straightforward national initiatives that are used for any other local protected areas. On the other hand, this work also provides additional foundation to identify candidate areas to be protected in waters beyond national jurisdiction under the High Seas Treaty (a.k.a. BBNJ) agreement.” As the team explored the spatial requirements of marine megafauna (e.g. marine mammals, sharks, and marine turtles), which are typical in high latitudes where productivity is also high, they found that many of the identified candidate areas feature internal connectivity suitable to their ecological needs. Finally, climate change scenarios impact the size and location of highly productive areas and therefore require spatially dynamic protection frameworks.  Finally, future climate projections of marine productivity show that climate change may impact the extent and location of highly productive waters, and therefore, spatially protection frameworks need to be dynamic in order to preserve these areas. # # # nMoss Wed, 17 Jan 2024 21:05:00 GMT f1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:21920 https://newsroom.wcs.org/News-Releases/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/21917/Forget-Flowers-Celebrate-Valentines-Day-with-Name-a-Roach-from-the-Bronx-Zoo.aspx#Comments 0 https://newsroom.wcs.org/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=13614&ModuleID=28242&ArticleID=21917 https://newsroom.wcs.org:443/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=21917&PortalID=164&TabID=13614 Forget Flowers — Celebrate Valentine's Day with ‘Name-a-Roach’ from the Bronx Zoo https://newsroom.wcs.org/News-Releases/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/21917/Forget-Flowers-Celebrate-Valentines-Day-with-Name-a-Roach-from-the-Bronx-Zoo.aspx BRONX, N.Y. — Jan. 17, 2024 — Roses are red, violets are blue; celebrate love with help from the Bronx Zoo. The popular Name-a-Roach program returns for a 13th year, allowing donors to symbolically name a Bronx Zoo Madagascar hissing cockroach for their Valentine … or ex-Valentine. The cockroaches are located in the Madagascar! Exhibit at the Bronx Zoo.  Flowers wilt and chocolates melt, but cockroaches last forever. For a $15 donation, your Valentine will receive a digital certificate featuring the name chosen for the roach. Upgrade your order with an additional donation to receive extras like roach socks, a roach plush, or a virtual encounter where you can virtually meet a cockroach and chat live with the experts about caring for these unique and charming creatures. Supplies are limited for upgrades, so make sure you get your unforgettable gift today.  Name-a-Roach 2024 gift packages include: The Original — Digital certificate: $15 Roach Plush — Plush and printed certificate: $40 Roach Socks — Socks and printed certificate: $35 one pair/$50 two pairs  Valentine's Virtual Encounter & Roach Plush — Encounter, plush and printed certificate: $60 Valentine's Virtual Encounter & Roach Socks — Encounter, socks and printed certificate: $60 one pair/$75 two pairs The Works — Roach Plush, two pairs of Roach Socks, Valentine's Virtual Encounter, and printed certificate: $85  Orders must be placed by Feb. 8, 2024 in order to receive the gift by Valentine’s Day. Valentine's Virtual Encounters are approximately 15 minutes, with sessions on Feb. 10 at 10 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., Feb. 11 at 10 a.m. and 4 p.m., and Feb. 14 at 12:45 p.m. Login details will be included in the information card received with your package (if the order was placed before the shipping deadline of Feb. 8), and in an email that will go out on Feb. 9. The original Name-a-Roach was launched by the Bronx Zoo in 2011, and thousands of hopeless romantics from around the world have named the Bronx Zoo’s Madagascar hissing cockroaches after friends, family, loved ones, and not-so-loved ones. Previous names chosen have been inspired by politics, music, movies, and more.  Donations help the Wildlife Conservation Society protect animals, big and small, loved and maligned, at the Bronx Zoo and around the world. Place your order today to benefit roaches and many other species, and join us at the Bronx Zoo soon. # # # nMoss Wed, 17 Jan 2024 18:43:00 GMT f1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:21917 https://newsroom.wcs.org/News-Releases/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/21910/Urgent-Message-from-WCS-as-the-Avian-Influenza-Virus-Threatens-Wildlife-Across-the-Globe.aspx#Comments 0 https://newsroom.wcs.org/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=13614&ModuleID=28242&ArticleID=21910 https://newsroom.wcs.org:443/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=21910&PortalID=164&TabID=13614 Urgent Message from WCS as the Avian Influenza Virus Threatens Wildlife Across the Globe https://newsroom.wcs.org/News-Releases/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/21910/Urgent-Message-from-WCS-as-the-Avian-Influenza-Virus-Threatens-Wildlife-Across-the-Globe.aspx New York, January 15, 2024 – The Wildlife Conservation Society is issuing the following statement about H5N1 Avian Influenza due to ongoing wildlife die-offs across the world: Said Dr. Chris Walzer, WCS Executive Director of Health: “With the frightening die-off of animals across the globe due to avian influenza, WCS is calling for governments internationally to treat this growing crisis with the urgency it demands. As we continue to monitor the death of innumerable species and track the movement of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) into mammal populations, we must strengthen the focus on integrating the surveillance of emerging influenza clades in wild birds and mammals to support critical vaccine libraries. “H5N1 now presents an existential threat to the world’s biodiversity. It has infected over 150 wild and domestic avian species around the globe as well as a dozens of mammalian species. The bird flu outbreak is the worst globally and also in U.S. history, with hundreds-of-million birds dead since it first turned up in domestic waterfowl in China in 1996. Bird flu is highly transmissible, spread through droplet and feces-borne infections, and exacerbated by climate-change-altering migration schedules for birds and its repeated re-circulation in domestic poultry. “Globally, HPAI H5N1 has now infected many mammals—including foxes, pumas, skunks, and both black and brown bears in North America. Some 700 endangered Caspian seals died from HPAI near Dagestan in 2023. Additionally, outbreaks in mink farms in Spain and Finland that serve as potential mixing vessels for reassortment have also been documented. HPAI H5N1 has arrived in Latin America with devastating consequences, afflicting multiple countries that include WCS land- and seascapes in Peru, Chile, Uruguay, Ecuador, and Argentina. “Sampling efforts suggest that more than 95 percent of the Southern elephant seal (Mirounga leonina) pups born along 300 km of the Patagonia coastline died at the end of 2023. It’s the first report of massive elephant seal mortality in the area from any cause in the last half century. The sight of elephant seals found dead or dying along the breeding beaches can only be described as apocalyptic. This 2023 die-off contrasts starkly with the 18,000 pups born and successfully weaned in 2022.  “As the virus continues to spread through mammal populations, the World Health Organization (WHO) has called on public health officials to prepare for a potential spillover of H5N1 to people. The "R naught" value—or the number of people infected by a single infected person—for COVID initially ranged from 1.5 to 7. For H5N1 among birds, it is around 100. It is imperative that we take a collaborative One Health approach to identifying emerging strains of bird flu across the globe to support the development of specific and universal vaccines that can quickly treat infection in people to prevent another pandemic. “The cost of inaction is already causing major devastation to wildlife. As we work to help affected populations recover, we must remain vigilant against the spread of this deadly pathogen to people before it’s too late.” Background Wildlife Conservation Society Health Program In the last few decades, it has become increasingly evident that conservation, our own health, and the health of wild and domestic animals are all inextricably linked. A single pathogen can wipe out the last populations of an endangered species and, in turn, threaten the stability of local human populations. Thus there is an urgent need to simultaneously address the health of people, animals and the environment recognizing that disease poses challenges to both conservation of the planet's biodiversity and efforts to improve the quality of human life. Additional Background: Global leaders in wildlife and human health issued 10 principles – The Berlin Principles – with an urgent call to governments, academia, and civil society that all sectors need to break down barriers to ensure a united effort to prevent the emergence or resurgence of diseases that threaten humans, wildlife, and livestock. COMUNICADO DE PRENSA DE WCS Contacto: Mary Dixon, mdixon@wcs.org; +1 347-840-1242 Mensaje Urgente de WCS Mientras el Virus de la Influenza Aviar Amenaza la Vida Silvestre en Todo el Mundo  La mortandad masiva de elefantes marinos en Argentina debido a la gripe aviar es la última señal de que el virus es una amenaza para la vida silvestre Nueva York, 15 de enero de 2024 – La Sociedad para la Conservación de la Vida Silvestre (Wildlife Conservation Society, WCS por sus siglas en inglés) emite la siguiente declaración urgente sobre la influenza aviar H5N1 debido a la mortandad en curso de vida silvestre en todo el mundo: El Dr. Chris Walzer, Director Ejecutivo de Salud de WCS, dijo: "Con la aterradora mortandad de animales en todo el mundo debido a la gripe aviar, WCS hace un llamado a los gobiernos para que traten esta creciente crisis con la urgencia que exige. A medida que continuamos registrando la muerte de innumerables especies, y estudiando la transmisión de la influenza aviar causada por una variedad altamente patógena de este virus en las poblaciones de aves y mamíferos, debemos fortalecer la integración en la vigilancia de las variantes de influenza emergentes en aves y mamíferos silvestres para sostener las bases de datos relacionadas con el desarrollo de vacunas críticas. "El H5N1 representa ahora una amenaza a la biodiversidad del mundo. Ha infectado a más de 150 especies de aves silvestres y domésticas, así como a docenas de especies de mamíferos. El actual brote de gripe aviar es el peor registrado a nivel mundial para esta enfermedad, también para los Estados Unidos, con cientos de millones de aves muertas desde que se registró por primera vez en aves domésticas, en China, en 1996. La influenza aviar es altamente transmisible, se propaga a través de la respiración y las heces. El problema se profundiza a partir de la interacción entre aves silvestres y especies domesticas mantenidas en criaderos para consumo humano, al igual que por el cambio climático, que altera la migración de aves silvestres. "A nivel mundial, la gripe aviar altamente patógena H5N1 ha infectado a muchos mamíferos: zorros, pumas y osos negros y pardos, en América del Norte. Unas 700 focas del Caspio, en peligro de extinción, murieron este año de gripe aviar altamente patógena, cerca de la República de Daguestán. También se han documentado brotes en criaderos de visones, en España y Finlandia, que sirven a los procesos de mutación y generación de nuevas variantes del virus. La gripe aviar altamente patógena H5N1 ha llegado a América del sur con consecuencias devastadoras, afectando a varios países en los que WCS tiene programas terrestres y marinos, como Perú, Chile, Uruguay, Ecuador y Argentina. "Los muestreos sugieren que el 97 por ciento de las crías de elefante marino del sur (Mirounga leonina), nacidas a lo largo de 300 km de la costa patagónica de la Argentina, han muerto entre septiembre y octubre de este año. Es el primer evento de mortalidad masiva de elefantes marinos en la zona en el último medio siglo. La imagen de elefantes marinos muertos o moribundos a lo largo de las playas de cría solo puede describirse como apocalíptica. La mortalidad ocurrida esta primavera contrasta marcadamente con las 18.000 crías nacidas y destetadas con éxito en 2022. "A medida que el virus continúa propagándose a través de las poblaciones de mamíferos, la Organización Mundial de la Salud (OMS) ha pedido a los funcionarios de salud pública que se preparen para un posible contagio del H5N1 a las personas. El valor "R cero", o el número de personas infectadas por una sola persona infectada, para COVID inicialmente osciló entre 1.5 y 7. En el caso del H5N1, y entre las aves, es de alrededor de 100. Es imperativo que adoptemos el enfoque colaborativo de "una sola salud” como lema de salud global para el planeta, a los fines de identificar las cepas emergentes de gripe aviar y apoyar el desarrollo de vacunas específicas y universales que puedan tratar rápidamente la infección en las personas para prevenir otra pandemia. "El costo de la inacción ya está causando una gran devastación a la vida silvestre. A medida que trabajamos para ayudar a las poblaciones afectadas a recuperarse, debemos permanecer atentos frente a la propagación de este patógeno mortal a las personas antes de que sea demasiado tarde". ###   Programa de Salud de Wildlife Conservation Society En las últimas décadas, se ha vuelto cada vez más evidente que la conservación de la vida silvestre, la salud humana y la de los animales silvestres y domésticos, están inextricablemente vinculadas. Un solo patógeno puede acabar con las últimas poblaciones de una especie en peligro de extinción, amenazar la estabilidad de las poblaciones de especies relativamente saludables e impactar al ser humano. Por lo tanto, es urgente abordar simultáneamente la salud humana, la de muchas especies animales y la del ambiente, reconociendo que las enfermedades plantean desafíos tanto para la conservación de la biodiversidad global como para los esfuerzos por mejorar la calidad de la vida del ser humano. Antecedentes adicionales: Los líderes mundiales en vida silvestre y salud humana emitieron 10 principios, los Principios de Berlín, con un llamado urgente a los gobiernos, la academia y la sociedad civil para que todos los sectores eliminen las barreras para garantizar un esfuerzo conjunto para prevenir la aparición o el resurgimiento de enfermedades que amenazan a los seres humanos, la vida silvestre y el ganado.     nMoss Mon, 15 Jan 2024 13:53:00 GMT f1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:21910 https://newsroom.wcs.org/News-Releases/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/21899/The-WCS-Bronx-Zoo-Turns-125-This-Year-Join-the-Celebration.aspx#Comments 0 https://newsroom.wcs.org/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=13614&ModuleID=28242&ArticleID=21899 https://newsroom.wcs.org:443/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=21899&PortalID=164&TabID=13614 The WCS Bronx Zoo Turns 125 This Year — Join the Celebration https://newsroom.wcs.org/News-Releases/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/21899/The-WCS-Bronx-Zoo-Turns-125-This-Year-Join-the-Celebration.aspx BRONX, NY, Jan 9, 2024—Before the Empire State Building was constructed, before the first New York City subway ride, before the New York Yankees were a team, there was the Bronx Zoo (formally, the New York Zoological Park). The iconic New York institution first opened its doors in 1899 and celebrates its 125th birthday, Nov. 8, throughout 2024. Over the past century plus, the Bronx Zoo has become a cultural and education leader, a conservation giant, and a gateway to nature, for more than a half billion visitors. “Generations of New Yorkers and others from around the globe have visited the Bronx Zoo since 1899,” said Jim Breheny, Director of the Bronx Zoo and Executive Vice President of the Wildlife Conservation Society’s Zoos and Aquarium. “Throughout our 125 years, we have worked to educate millions about animals and the places they live while working to protect wildlife and nature around the world. Every visitor to the Bronx Zoo has helped us with that mission. We invite everyone to join us in 2024 in celebration of the successes of generations of zoo keepers, curators, veterinarians, and all others who have taken care of the animals and our spectacular 265 acre park.” Planned festivities to celebrate 125 years of the Bronx Zoo include: Animal Chronicles: A NEW temp exhibit opening on April 20, 2024, that includes a walking trail of more than a quarter mile featuring life-size and gigantic, immersive eco-sculptures that showcase key achievements in the Bronx Zoo’s history of saving animal species and connecting New Yorkers to wildlife. Animal Chronicles will be available daily and is included with admission. Monthly Birthday Celebrations: Weekend celebrations will be spread throughout the park on select days from April through September, including parades, performances, crafting, scavenger hunts, tours, Wildlife Theater, and much more. Each month will feature a different theme; and this experience will be included with admission. Seasonal Programming: The Bronx Zoo’s 125th birthday will be celebrated at beloved holiday events like Boo at the Zoo and Holiday Lights. Throughout the year, the Bronx Zoo will share fun and interesting facts, and highlight key animal and exhibit stories from over the years. Follow along on Bronx Zoo social media to learn more. WCS Members have helped support the zoo’s longstanding conservation efforts making 125 years possible. WCS Members will be given exclusive access to special events, discounts, and benefits throughout 2024. A press event will be held in mid-April to kick off the in-park celebrations. # # # nMoss Wed, 10 Jan 2024 00:33:00 GMT f1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:21899 https://newsroom.wcs.org/News-Releases/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/21892/One-of-the-Worlds-Most-Iconic-Lowland-Gorillas-Kingo-of-the-Republic-of-Congo-Has-Died-of-Old-Age.aspx#Comments 0 https://newsroom.wcs.org/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=13614&ModuleID=28242&ArticleID=21892 https://newsroom.wcs.org:443/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=21892&PortalID=164&TabID=13614 One of the World’s Most Iconic Lowland Gorillas, Kingo, of the Republic of Congo, Has Died of Old Age https://newsroom.wcs.org/News-Releases/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/21892/One-of-the-Worlds-Most-Iconic-Lowland-Gorillas-Kingo-of-the-Republic-of-Congo-Has-Died-of-Old-Age.aspx Djéké Triangle Forest, Republic of Congo, January 6, 2023 – One of the world’s most iconic lowland gorillas, Kingo, who was featured in international news media and inspired three decades of conservation, was found dead on Dec. 26, 2023. Lowland gorillas are listed as Critically Endangered by IUCN. Kingo's age is estimated to be 45 years. The cause of his death is believed to be age-related complications. Kingo gained his international fame after being featured in reports by BBC, National Geographic, and other media outlets. He has been called by conservationists a symbol of nature whose life inspired the protection of Congo’s Nouabalé-Ndoki National Park and all of its wildlife, and whose legacy will inspire the protection of similarly highly intact, ecologically intact areas across the world for generations to come. More than a dozen documentaries and nearly 50 scientific articles have featured insights from Kingo’s life. The imposing yet gentle presence of Kingo captured the hearts of researchers, local communities, and tourists since the 1990’s when Diane Doran’s research team from Stony Brook University in New York began studying him to better understand Western lowland gorillas (Gorilla gorilla gorilla), which at that time were amongst the least understood great apes. Kingo takes his name from the Ba’aka expression ‘kingo ya bolé,’ which means ‘he who has a loud voice.’ Researchers were able to locate Kingo’s group, in the early days of their research, due to his distinctive bark. In 2006, this work was taken on by the Wildlife Conservation Society. “Kingo’s legacy is immense,” said Jancy Boungou, a research assistant for WCS’s Mondika Gorilla who followed Kingo up until his last days. “He has always inspired me and my colleagues to protect gorillas and the Nouabalé-Ndoki National Park.” The home of Kingo was Nouabalé-Ndoki National Park—a 1,500 square-mile (4,238 square-kilometer) protected area which WCS co-manages with the Congolese government. It is home not only to gorillas, but also forest elephants, chimpanzees, bongo, sitatunga, and other spectacular wildlife. WCS’s long-term presence in the park, working with the government and Indigenous Peoples, has allowed researchers to gain incredible insights into the life history of the otherwise private lives of gorillas. “Through the years, the work accomplished with Kingo, and the launch of ecotourism has led to improved protection for the Nouabalé-Ndoki National Park, culminating in the formal addition of Kingo’s home – the Triangle Forest –to the Park in 2022. Kingo has enabled a better understanding of Western lowland gorilla ecology and behavior; and, through tourism, created a pathway to sustainable livelihoods for Indigenous Peoples and local communities in the area,” said WCS’s Ben Evans, Director of Nouabalé-Ndoki National Park. “Even by gorilla standards, Kingo was a physically impressive silverback with massive arms and broad shoulders that powered his confident swagger through the dense forests of the Congo Basin,” said David Morgan, Director of the Goualougo Triangle Ape Project (GTAP) which has supported WCS efforts for more than ten years. “Generations of silverbacks have visited those same trees over hundreds of years, but it is unlikely that any were as successful in their tenure as Kingo.” ### nMoss Sat, 06 Jan 2024 21:46:00 GMT f1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:21892 https://newsroom.wcs.org/News-Releases/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/21720/Wildlife-Conservation-Society-Releases-Its-17-Favorite-Animal-Photos-of-2023.aspx#Comments 0 https://newsroom.wcs.org/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=13614&ModuleID=28242&ArticleID=21720 https://newsroom.wcs.org:443/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=21720&PortalID=164&TabID=13614 Wildlife Conservation Society Releases Its 17 Favorite Animal Photos of 2023 https://newsroom.wcs.org/News-Releases/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/21720/Wildlife-Conservation-Society-Releases-Its-17-Favorite-Animal-Photos-of-2023.aspx NEW YORK – December 29, 2023 – WCS (Wildlife Conservation Society) released today its 17 favorite animal images of 2023 from its field work across the world and its zoos and aquarium in New York City. WCS operates five wildlife parks in New York City (Bronx Zoo, New York Aquarium, Central Park Zoo, Prospect Park Zoo, and Queens Zoo) and works in 50 plus countries saving wildlife and wild places. Click here for high-res copies of our favorite animal photos of 2023. Cutlines: Fruit bat: The Wildlife Conservation Society released an image in 2023 of scientists taking a swab from a straw-colored fruit bat to test it for zoonotic diseases such as the Ebola virus. Credit: Clement Kolopp/WCS Blacktip reef shark: This is a blacktip reef shark at the New York Aquarium. A new study in 2023, featuring more than 150 researchers worldwide, including Wildlife Conservation Society scientists who collected data at WCS programs in Mesoamerica, South East Asia, Melanesia and East Africa, said that overfishing is driving reef sharks toward extinction. Credit: Julie Larsen/WCS Budgie Landing: A new experience opened in 2023 at the Bronx Zoo, Budgie Landing, an immersive walkthrough exhibit that includes more than 1000 colorful budgerigars, commonly known as budgies. Credit: Julie Larsen/WCS Forest elephant: Here is a forest elephant, in Djeke Triangle. The “Djéké Triangle,”an unlogged forest, became a part of Nouabalé-Ndoki National Parkin Republic of Congo in 2023. Credit: S. Ramsay/WCS Great adjutant: This great adjutant lives in Cambodia’s Bakan Protected Landscape. Wildlife Conservation Society Cambodia, in cooperation with the Ministry of Environment and the Pursat Provincial Administration and Department of Environment, announced in 2023 the official designation of the Bakan grassland as a national protected area officially called the Bakan Protected Landscape. Photo Credit: Sum Phearun WCS Cambodia Harbor porpoises: Wildlife Conservation Society research in 2023 revealed that harbor porpoises, a small, shy porpoise species lives year-round in the New York-New Jersey Harbor Estuary, the largest and busiest port on the U.S. East Coast. Credit: Ari S. Friedlaende Humpback whale: It’s clear that whales have become regular “New Yorkers” as evidenced by images taken in 2023 by scientists with the Wildlife Conservation Society’s Ocean Giants Program, showing a humpback whale within sight of the New York City skyline. Credit Sarah Trabue/WCS Lioness: This is a lioness in Sena Oura National Park. A team of conservationists from the Government of Chad and the Wildlife Conservation Society released in 2023 a stunning image taken by a remote camera of a healthy female lion from Sena Oura National Park in Chad, where the big cats haven’t been seen in nearly two decades. CREDIT: PN Sena Oura, Chad MEPDD/WCS Mangshan pit viper: Mangshan pit vipers are seldom encountered in the wild, but visitors to WCS’s Bronx Zoo in 2023 began having an opportunity to observe a hatchling in the nursery at the World of Reptiles. Credit: Julie Larsen/WCS Royal turtle: Here, a Buddhist monk assists with the release of a Royal turtle. The Wildlife Conservation Society, in collaboration with Mandai Nature and the Fisheries Administration (FiA) of the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry, and Fisheries (MAFF), released in 2023 20 critically endangered Royal Turtles into the Sre Ambel River system in Koh Kong Province's Sre Ambel district. Credit: WCS Pallas’s cat: Here is a Pallas’s cat living in WCS’s Prospect Park Zoo in Brookyn. Findings from a paper published in 2023 in Cat News identified the first ever report of Pallas’s cat on Mount Everest, in the Sagarmatha National Park in Nepal. Credit: Julie Larsen/WCS Saiga antelope: The IUCN Red List status assessment of Saiga antelope was changed in 2023 from Critically Endangered to Near Threatened, thanks to effective national and international conservation efforts. Photo Credit: Andrey Ginlev Scarlet macaw: These scarlet macaw are found in Moskitia. The Honduran government unveiled in 2023 a transformative initiative to rescue and conserve the country’s largest forest, the Moskitia, which is one of Mesoamerica’s Five Great Forests and Central America’s second largest rainforest. Photo Credit: WCS Mesoamerica Snow leopards: Two snow leopard cubs debuted in 2023 at the Bronx Zoo. Snow leopards, among the world’s most elusive big cats, are rarely seen in the wild and are sometimes referred to as “the ghost of the mountains.” Credit Julie Larsen/WCS Southern pudu: WCS’s Queens Zoo debuted in 2023 a tiny southern pudu fawn, the smallest deer in the world. Credit: Julie Larsen/WCS Snow monkeys: Pictured here: Snow monkeys at the Wildlife Conservation Society’s Central Park Zoo Japanese macaques, also known as snow monkeys, are a species native to Japan. No other non-human primate lives so far north or in such a cold climate. Credit: Julie Larsen/WCS Octopus: This octopus is found in the Hudson Canyon. Throughout 2023, we worked to rally support to have the Hudson Canyon, about 100 miles off the coast of New York, designated as a National Marine Sanctuary. © Image courtesy of NOAA Ocean Exploration, 2021 ROV Shakedown drosen Fri, 29 Dec 2023 15:27:00 GMT f1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:21720